BENEFICIAL RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 8

BENEFICIAL RAIN.

BRIEF BUT HEAVY FALL.

HALF AN INCH IN CITY.

PARCHED PASTURES BENEFIT.

WATER SUPPLY UNAFFECTED.

Heavy rain fell in Auckland yesterday morning and afternoon, the first appreciable fall for many weeks. Over half an inch of rain was recorded for the period from midnight until last evening.

Soft, fine rain fell in the early hours of yesterday morning, followed by heavier showers. After a lull in the early afternoon there was a steady downpour, which continued for some time. Shortly after six o'clock, the barometer began to move upwards, and it improved throughout the evening.

The rains have not touched the Waitaliore ranges, and, consequently, the city water supply has not been replenished During the day there were some light showers of little benefit at Waitakere, but no rain fell at Nihotupu. The shortness of the water supply has constituted a serious problem, and until there is a heavy downpour there can be no easing of the restrictions. While the closing-down for the holidays of factories and other industrial plants has lessened the consumption of water to some extent, the position, according to Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the City Council Water Committee, is still serious. The rain will be of considerable benefit to pastures in the country and domestic gardens and lawns, which have suffered by the dry spell. On many farms in the district around Auckland the pastures have been brown and parched. Such conditions are expected in February, but it is unusual for the grass to be so dry at this time of the year. On many farms the only green patches have been the clumps of paspalum, which is appreciated more fully in dry spells than at any other time. Upon the light soils in the district, yesterday's rainfall should have the effect of "bringing the grass away" again. In suburban gardens the rain will give new life to the flowers and vegetables. Lawns, which have been dotted with brown patches, will be much refreshed, and tennis, bowling and croquet greens will be improved by the rain. Owing to the rain cargo operations were delayed on all the vessels in port. The Kamo, which was to sail yesterday, has been delayed until to-day. The Matakana, will not sail this evening, but efforts are to be made to despatch her to-morrow. The rain had a pore serious effect on the lonic, which was announced to sail at daybreak to-morrow, for London, She will now be unable to complete loading before the New Year holidays, and will sail at daybreak on Wednesday.

SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT WARM SHOWERS IN WAIKATO RELIEF FOR THE FARMERS. [by telegraph.—own correspondents.] HAMILTON, Thursday. The need for rain has been greatly felt by farmers throughout the South Auckland province, particularly those in the northern and eastern areas, for some weeks and great relief was felt when fairly heavy showers fell last night. However the fall totalled only .10in. in Hamilton for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day. Light warm showers fell at intervals tq-day nnd will do much to freshen the pastures and stimulate growth of the root crops. Still much more rain is needed, for there has been a marked falling off in the milk yield during the last month and heavy rain would be greatly welcomed.

MORRINSVILLE, Thursday. A long-deferred hope by Morrinsville district farmers for rain was gratified early this evening. Rain commenced shortly before six o'clock and present indications are that the rain has set in for the night. A heavy fall is wanted to refresh pastoral lands where stock have been suffering from a shortage of feed for nearly five weeks. TE AROHA, Thursday. With the conclusion of the gathering of good hay crops last week the district farmers anxiously awaited rain. Late this afternoon heavy rain set in from the east. Farming lands are badly in need of a day's rain and present conditions indicate a continuance of to-day's rain. NGATEA, Thursday. The su -baked pastures of the Hauraki Plains were refreshed by a fall of rain late this afternoon and farmers are hoping for a few hours' downpour. The continued dry weather of November and December has had an effect on stock, and butter-fat production has fallen below the anticipated figure. It is thought, however, that a downpour will result in the quick rejuvenation of the rich pastoral country of the plains and maintain the present record production. THAMES, Thursday. Welcome rain set in at 6.30 this evening and at a later hour there were indications of a continuance. The rainfall is appreciated by growers of tomatoes for the Auckland market. They say that n three hours' downpour will make all the difference between success and failure for the year's work. Present conditions indicate) a cold and stormy night.. ROTORUA, Thursday. The light showers that fell last night and to-day will be beneficial to the farms and gardens in the district. TE KUITI, Thursday. Following a strong easterly wind yesterday several showers fell early this morning and a heavy downpour lasting an hour occurred this afternoon. The rain was not heavy enough to effect roads. The weather this evening was threatening and conditions were very humid. TAUMARUNUI, Thursday.

In tho Taumarunui district light showers fell to-day and the country is looking well in spite of the dry spell.