THE RAINFALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 31 October 1919, Page 6

THE RAINFALL.

SERIOUS DEGREASE CONTINUES

The rainfall for the month of October, like the months preceding, has been below the average, the total fall being only 1.65 inches. Rain fell on five days in the mouth, the maximum fall being .74 inch on sth inst. In October, 1918, the fall was 6.33 inches; 1917, 4.94 inches; 1916, 3.33 inches; 1915, 2.92 inches; 1914, .56 inch. ■ It must be realised that the position is becoming seriais, more so as the driest months of the year are before us. The appended table, showing the rainfall for the ten months in each year from 1914 to 1919, will be of interest, ari<f show in a startling mariner the extent of the drought which has been experienced this year;— , 1914 23.17 inches 1915 27.96 inches 1916 ■ 46.36 inches 1917 39.08 inches 1918 42.44 inches 1919 17.69 indies The average rainfall amounts to about 36 inches a year, and it will be seen that so far, with only two months to complete the year, we mo a till short of the yearly average by more than half. For the past five years the average fail in November has amounted to about 3£ inches, so unless the month proves an exceptionally wet one, little improvement can b e hoped lor. In view of the long-continued drought the water problem in the city threatens to be more acute this summer than ever before. Each- year see? an increasing demand on the city supply, which for years has been totally 'inadequate for domestic, sanitary and gardening purposes combined. Should the dry conditions continue for another two months the city will be faced with disaster. The hoalth of the community will be at stake owing to an supply for san : tary purposes, and the market garden industry will be threatened with extinction, for afler the domestic supply has been met, and this is the first consideration, there is not likely to be a supply for gardening purposes. Thus, in addition to the possible effect 0 n the health of the people the prosperity of the city will be enormously affected. The shelving of the water problem has gone on year after year, until a time has come when a heavy price may have to be paid for the failure to boldly face the position. It is a matter on whiq, the ratepayers should be consulted, and a loan proposal submitted. The responsibility will then be on the ratepayers themselves. STOKE FRUITGROWERS’ ASSOCIA TION»