WARM, SOAKING RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18380, 21 April 1923, Page 10

WARM, SOAKING RAIN.

WELCOME IN THE WAIKATO

•CHANGE FROM SHARP FROSTS

GROWTH OF GRASS STIMULATED.

[BY • TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Friday. Exceptionally heavy rain fell throughout the Waikato to-day. The rain has thoroughly soaked the ground, and as it has been quite warm, it will do an immense amount of good in stimulating the growth of grass for the winter and in germinating seed that has recently been sown. , *

The dearth of moisture and the sharp frosts experienced recently had a deterrent effect on milk production, but an increase in the yield is certain to be noted now that rain has fallen. The effect will be to i enhance still further the splendid records that have been achieved in butter-fat production so far this season. For the 24 hours ended at four o'clock this afternoon, the rainfall noted at Ruakura was 1.31 inches.

HEAVY RAIN AT DARGAVILLE,

FLOODS IN KAIHU VALLEY. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DARGAVILLE. Friday. A heavy gale, accompanied by rain, set in yesterday morning and continued throughout the day and night. The wind moderated after sunset, but the rain increased in volume, and most of the creeks which have been dry for some months, are again running. The rain was particularly heavy in the Kaihu Valley, where a largo tract of country between Maropiu and Babylon is under water, and the down train had great difficulty in making the return journey to town.

PAEROA'S LIGHT SYSTEM PAILS. FLOODED ROADS AND RIVERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PAEROA. Friday. The Paeroa district has been experiencing severe easterly gales during the last two days. Last evening the town was in darkness owing to the failure of the electric light, which was off from. 6.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The storm still continues and the rivers have risen considerably. . The heavy rain which has fallen will do :an immense amount of good to the farming areas, especially the higher bush lands, which have recently been burnt off and sown in grass. Latest reports from outside districts show that a flood is imminent. Communication with Waihi and Thames by road is blocked. The Waihi Road is now under water between Karangahake and Waikino. A washout has occurred at Dougherty's Creek at Mackaytown. The approach to the recently-erected bridge over that creek has been washed away. At 2 p.m. to-day over three inches of rain had fallen in the previous 36 hours. Rain continues' and the river is rising fast. WAIHOTJ RIVER RAPIDLY RISING. LOW-LYING LAND UNDER WATER. (BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ; TE AROHA. Friday. During the early morning the boisterous gale: lost most of its force, but the downpour of, rain that followed is the heaviest and the most incessant experienced in this district for years.- As a result the Waihou River is rapidly rising and already all the low-lying lands through which it runs are under water. There are no signs of a break in the weather this evening. '

• ' GALE ON EAST COAST. •BAIN BENEFITS PASTURES. [BY TELEGRAPH. I OWN CORRESPONDENT.] . TAUKANGA. Friday. Heavy rain, accompanied by an easterly gale, set in yesterday morning and still continues. The temperature is high and pastures will benefit by the rainfall.