DROUGHT BROKEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 April 1928, Page 4

DROUGHT BROKEN

A SOAKING DOWNPOUR RIVERS AND CREEKS IN FRESH After the driest spell for nearly 45 years, the drought in Nelson and district 'has definitely broken. The rain whieli commenced on Sunday continued until last, night, and the soil has bad a thorough soaking. The big dam at. the waterworks is overflowing, and there should be no further anxiety so far as the water supply is concerned. Tho Maitai river and Hi ook stream are in fresh.

Reports from country districts stato that rain has been general.

A great many camping parties were considerably inconvenienced.

The rainfall for the previous 24 hours up to nine o'clock this morning totalled 2.15 in., making 3.56 in. for the month. Today is fine but dull, with further rain threatening.

Vesterday's downpour caused a correspondent to hurst into verse:— Nelson should now he happy. As the rain is coming down. A blessing for the country And a find's gift lo the town. MOTUEKA BRIDGE TEMPORARY STRUCTURE DAMAGED

A heavy fresh in the Motueka.-r.iver damaged one of the piers of the temporary Motueka bridge. Vehicular traffic has been held up since, yesterday, hut the County Engineer (Mr Brewster) hopes to have repairs made, by to-mor-row, when traffic can resume.

About 2000 cases of apples from the Rivvakn side are being taken over the bridge on trucks.

Had the Shaggery rand been openpd, communication between Motueka and Riwnka would not have been cut off.

IN THE WAIMEAS Our Waimea correspondent writes:— After the most prolonged drought on record, steady rain set in on Saturday evening, continuing all day Sunday and Monday, and culminating in a heavy downpour during the night. To-day the weather is beautifully warm and "mild, and if this continues there, should still be a very considerable growth of feed for ihe winter. For the dairy farmers the position had become desperate, fc|d and water both being very scarce. Many creeks and springs usually giving an abundant supply of water had gone dry. and in many cases the paddocks had "been eaten bare, and serious inroads were being made on the winter supplies of hay. Usually at this time of year there is a considerable amount of rough feed in the paddocks and this, together with the young grass that- grows through it, when the autumn rains come, gives a considerable amount of winter feed. This year, however, there is very little rough' feed, and the stock will have lo depend entirely on the young growth. However, it is qnite possible that the warm weather will continue for some time yet, nnd under these conditions (he growth of grass should he phenomenal. It is to be hoped for the sake of the farmers that favourable conditions will continue, for during the past, season they have had a very hard row to hoe.

TN PAT.MERSTON DISTRICT

(By Telegraph.—Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., This Day

After a long dry spell, very welcome, rain fell throughout, (he district yesterday, doing an immense amount of good. One inch eight points fell in (he town. Prior to this. 2.79 inches have fallea since the beginning of the year.