AUSTRALIA'S DRY SPELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18374, 14 April 1923, Page 13

AUSTRALIA'S DRY SPELL.

A VERY LOW RAINFALL. v

MOISTURE MUCH NEEDED,

The first quarter of the year. has now passed without general rains , throughout the State sufficient to afford relief to pastoralists and farmers, and .the low rainfall returns cast an ominous shade over prospects for the next season, says a Sydney paper. ''*.'' The month of April is a critical period for those on the land in practically all parts of the State. Preparations for next season's wheat sowing should be in hand in the whole of the wheat belt during this and early next month- Autumn pastures need refreshing, and with three dry months already , experienced so far this, year a good general rainfall is now an urgent necessity. During March rainfalls throughout Now South Wales were below the average at every recording station with the exception of Bellata, where 287 points were reported, compared with the average of 93. *In the western division, Riverina. the southern slopes and tablelands, and most of the central plains, March rains were almost negligible. Farther eastward and in the north-east better falls occurred, and, although below the average in many places, assumed moderate proportions. The best downpours were received on the North Coast, where falls ranged from two to seven inches, while a number of stations on the northern tablelands and northwest slopes received over two inches. In the central and southern coastal areas a dry month was experienced, with only isolated patches receiving over two inches. Tropical depressions were in evidence early in the month, causing rain over the eastern and northern districts, but falls were light except in the north-eastern corner. Thunder-storms, accompanied : by . rain in many ; parts of the State, t and a few severe storms; were experienced to- j ward the end of the month, but % only a few falls exceeded two inches, and the only appreciable, rain received lately has been on the North Coast. ' -

The dry spell is. affecting the metropolitan .area as well as the wheat belt, and at the City Weather Bureau during March the fall of 188 points was 31$ below the average. The average rainfall in Sydney over 64 years for the first quarter of the year is 1305 points, but so far only 420 points have been received. ..: :.,'