THE LONG DRY SPELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18630, 11 February 1924, Page 8

THE LONG DRY SPELL.

HAWKE'S BAY CONDITIONS. "NOT A VESTIGE OF GREEN." MUCH WORSE THAN WAIKATO TBI TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] TE AWAMUTU. Saturday. A farmer in discussing the state of the country owing to the long spell of dry weather, stated that the situation of the farmers in the Waikato was as nothing compared with the lot of their fellow producers in most parts of Hawkers Bay. "I have lately returned from a threeweeks' motor trip to Hawke's Bay and the Waikato compares more than favourably," the farmer said. " Down there, although they have had occasional showers, there is not a vestige of green grass to be seen for miles. They have no lucerne, and the stock are losing condition. Farmers I spoke to seemed quite surprised that I did not know that many thousands of sheep had been sent overland to the Waikato to take advantage of the better pastures. I went right out at the back of Dannevirke and Waipukurau, where 10 years ago there was grass going to waste for lack of stock to eat it down Now there is far,too much stock for the grass available. Of course, I know that as soon as the sain comes the grass will respond, but I only tell you this to allay the scare among so many people up this way, caused by the belief that this is the vorst spell of dry weather on record and that soon many farmers will be ruined. Wo are well off, comparatively, and while I would like to see all my neighbours put in a few acres of lucerne for autumn and winter feed there is no real cause for alarm at the absence of rain."

The dry spell has affected milk production in most districts this autumn, and Kakepuku is no better off in this respect than probably the other parts, but settlers ; are not unduly depressed. Milk supplies are now about half what was despatched to the factory in December, but* the dairymen are going along optimistically. This dry spell will cause them to make better provision in future years for a repetition of such weather. CONDITIONS AT AUCKLAND. HEAT DURING THE WEEK-END. The fine weather which has been /experienced at Auckland practically since before Christmas continued over the weekend, when the atmosphere was particularly hot. On Saturday and yesterday there was only a very light breeze from the north and this made the conditions very trying, especially indoors. Although the maximum temperature, according to observations taken at the Albert Park observatory, averaged about 77 degrees, the tempsrature in the less exposed parts of Auckland was much higher. The long spell of hot weather has made sea bathing a favourite pastime and all the baths and beaches adjacent to the city have been well patronised. According to the barometer there is very little prospect of an early change in the weather. It was practically steady last week at about 30.30 m. and last night the reading was 30.25 in. Apart from the heat, the weather has been exceptionally dry, verjr little rain having fallen for some weeks. Rain in any volume has fallen on only about, two days this year, the remainder of the' fall consisting of a few light showers. Rain has fallen only on one day this month, .09 inches being recorded. The long spell of dry weather has retarded the growth of flowers and vegetables, except where hand-watering has been freely indulged in. Pastures in the suburbs and country now present a very parched appearance and rain would be much appreciated by farmers and gardeners.

MORRINSVILLE LANDS PARCHED. EFFECT ON MILK SUPPLY. IBT TELEGRAPH. —OW» C.OTIKEBPONDfiNT ] MORKINSvTLLE, Saturday. Practically no rain has fallen for nearly a month in this district, and the land round Morrinsville is becoming parched and dry. Even the clovers are beginning to show signs of withering. It is estimated by some farmers that if the dry weather continues the cows will be dry before the end of next month.