DRY MONTH

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 107, 2 April 1930, Page 2

DRY MONTH

MARCH RAINFALL 55 POINTS. LIGHTEST FOR 16 YEARS. Mr T. R. Moore, of “Waimarama,” Terrace End, forwards the following particulars of the rainfall recorded by him. during March:— Inches. March Bth ... ... .32 „ 9th 04 „ 21st ... ... .08 „ 24th 11 . .55 Rain fell in measurable quantities on four days in March, 1930, for 55 points. In March, 1929, there were 12 days on which rain fell for 2.67 inches. The average temperature last month was 56 20-31 degrees, and in March, 1929,' it was 58 16-31 degrees. Ifi a note on the meteorological conditions which prevailed during the month, Mr Moore says:— March, which is the first month of autumn in New Zealand, and corresponds to September in Britain, has been a month of splendid autumn weather, with a fortnight of bright sunny days without a cloud. Seventeen days, including those on which rain fell, were hazy and overcast owing to lack of wind, but the sun at times came through brightly every day. On the 26th the thermometer was down to 34 up here, with a light frost on the flats. This is much too early for this time of the year—no mushrooms and very few mosquitoes. The absence of wind has been very marked and the. rainfall very light; in fact, the lightest since tne records have been kept here for sixteen years. In 1917 the fall was only one inch, which is the nearest approach to this month’s fall. The barometer has been very high; for eighteen days it was well over 30. On the 29th and 30th it was 30.4, and 30. 3 i on six mornings, the lowest being 29.6 J on the 23rd. April came in bright and fine, a little hazy at first, and a light cool breeze from the sou’-east. Tne barometer is very high, 30.3 J, and there is no sign of rain. The temperature was 62 in the shade at the time of writing. On the 16th the clocks were put back 30 minutes—a silly interference with “Old Father Time” and it is wondered what our legislators will do next. This fad alters, slightly, the average temperature ; causes a million clocks and watches to be altered, and all this so that a few sports may play games half an hour longer. Next our lawmakers will command, like Joshua, something to stand still that never did move—“wonderful.” _