Rain Comes At Crucial Moment

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 12

Rain Comes At Crucial Moment

Fears of a serious drought in Northland were quashed during the weekend when refreshing showers fell

throughout the province.

After threatening all day on Saturday, rain fell for a few minutes in the evening. It was not until Sunday morning, however, that continued beneficial showers were assured.

Drizzling rain commenced at about 6 o’clock yesterday morning, and, by 11 o’clock, it was evident that at least a full day’s steady downpour could be expected. Continuing throughout the * afternoon, the rain increased in intensity, some heavy downpours occurring in the night. Four Inches of Rain

Rain was still falling this morning, with no sign of a break occurring. Under the circumstances all sports arrangements, including the Onerahi regatta and bowling tourney, were cancelled for the day. Most of the week-end rain fell last night. For the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. today 4.33 inches were recorded. The total rainfall for the month up to this time is 4.46.

Drought conditions were prevailing at the end of last week, many farmers being completely out of water.

Kamo residents were in a particularly serious plight. There is ho water supply in the township and most residents have only a small tank supply. Use of water had been restricted to bare necessities for the previous fortnight and on Saturday the position was very serious.

A community pump was being used for carrying water, while those with wells were called upon to assist their less fortunate neighbours. Pastures Dried Up

Pastures everywhere were presenting a parched appearance, dairy stock suffering very much in con-

sequence.

The rain came at a crucial moment, as a continuation of the dry spell would have meant serious loss to stock breeders, grazers and butterfat producers. Market and private vegetable and flower gardens were also beginning to show the effects of the prolonged dry spelll

Although many week-end campers and visitors are naturally disappointed that their arrangements have been spoiled, general sympathy has been with the farmer, and few will seriously regret the week-end visitation. Although the Far North has experienced more rain than the Whangarei district, conditions were of a serious drought nature. Paspalum, which predominates in the Far North, withstood the dry spell splendidly, but farmers without springs, wells or other means of water supply for stock were on the verge of having to dispose of sheep and cattle to relieve the position. One farmer at Awanui had fortified himself against drought with artesian wells which fed troughs in every paddock on his farm. His foresight resulted in his being the only dairy farmer able to maintain full production during the dry period.