WELCOME RAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 89, 14 March 1941, Page 4

WELCOME RAIN.

WHOLE DISTRICT COVERED. Rain fell over the whole of Palmerston North and the surrounding district last night, in some places in a series of heavy showers, in others as a steady fall, and will be highly beneficial from all points of view. In the Kainanga area more than an inch was recorded, and the fall registered at West End by Mr C. H. Mason for the 24 hours ended at 9.30 a.m. to-day was 1.03 in. The total for the year to date is 7.59 in. The rain extended to beyond Apiti on the western side of the ranges, and was welcomed, in addition, from Masterton to Pahiatua, where it will also do much good. For the first time in many years the country about Apiti has been drier than that on the lower levels, and unusual conditions have been witnessed there. Although water was not being carted, at least to any extent, in the areas between Sanson, Tangimoana and Foxton, where such an expediency is to be expected in very dry periods, creeks in the Apiti district dried up as they have never done before in the memory of relatively old residents of that district. In one case, a stream which has not stopped running for 35 years, at least, was completely dry. The small springs have maintained their flow, although naturally at a diminished rate, and these have enabled the stock to get through the dry period without undue inconvenience. It has been noticeable, however, that sheep coming from dry pastures, when they have been driven t to water have discarded their normal dainty methods of drinking and waded out into the water with distinct relish. Crops which were planted since the new year began have done better than many which were planted earlier in .this dry area. The pasture position had not become serious, because the stock population had been lightened in the usual way with the draw-off of lambs and older ewes, but further rain would be of great benefit.