IN SPITE OF DRY SPELL SEASON IN MAIN A GOOD ONE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6550, 6 March 1928, Page 6

IN SPITE OF DRY SPELL SEASON IN MAIN A GOOD ONE

COMPLETE CHANGE IN WEATHER LAST MONTH Partial Recovery Expected ia Recent Falling-off of Milk Yields (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The weather summary for February by the Director of the Government Meteorological Office mentions that tho month began with the Dominion ia the throes of one of the driest spells experienced for many years, but that after the first week prospects of rain began to improve gradually, each successive pressure disturbance causing more widespread rain that its predecessors. On the 21st conditions became definitely favourable and rains, though still far from general and in most cases only light rain fell over large parts of both islands. The type of weather changed completely thence forward. General rains fell on the 23rd-24th and 26th-27th. From the 24th there was a considerable drop in temperature. Snow fell on many of the mountain areas especially in the South Island during the 26th-27th. As far as monthly totals aro concerned the rain of the latter end caused February to lose much of its drought character. Though the first three weeks were almost everywhere very dry moderate to heavy falls were experienced gnrally during the last week and scattered places especially in the North Island received more than the average. Deficiencies were most serious ia Taranaki and Nelson Provinces, and in parts of the .Manawatu, On tho West Coast of the South Island from Greymouth southwards most places appear to have had more than the normal February fall. Winds have been light on the whole but strong southerlies prevailed more especially from Cook Strait northwards. On the 27th and 28th gales were re- ! ported from many, parts of the North Island. The absence of wind mitigated considerably the effects of the drought. In the early part of the month temperatures were generally above normal and fruit grain, and other crops ripened well. Tho heat however increased tho deleterious effect of dry conditions on tho pastures. Tender crops were cut in parts of the North Island in a frost which occurred on tho morning of tho 29th in clear weather following cold southerly winds. There has been a considerable falling off in milk yields, but with good r,ains and further warm weather in March partial recovery was expected Fat lambs have not come on as expected in some parts, but sheep on the whole appear to have stood the drought remarkably well. The season continues in the main therefore to be a good one.