SCATTERED SHOWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19858, 31 January 1928, Page 10

SCATTERED SHOWERS.

, SOUTHI AUCKLAND AREA, LIGHT RAINFALL RECORDED. WEATHER STILL THREATENING. Rain showers fell n several South Auckland districts yesterday and although Uio fall was not sustained, tliero was everywhere expressed the hope tlmt the thundery, lowering weather experienced was the precursor of i definite break in the dry spell. Reports of showers were received from Rotorna, Tauranga, Cambridge, Hamilton, Paeroa and Pukekohe and in the city itself there was a just perceptiblo fall after 10 p.m. From the times reported from the various districts it would appear as if the rain were working up from Iho south. Thus the first report was from Rotorua, where rain commenced falling shortly after midnight yesterday and continued fo.: about three hours. Only ,17in. was i recorded, but it was sufficient to lay the dust temporarily and give the thirsty pastures some refreshment. There was another light shower at 3 p.m. From Tauranga it was reported that hot weather continued. A light sprinkle of rain fell early yesterday morning, but it was not sufficient to benefit crops or pastures. Rain also fell for two hours at Paeroa early yesterday morning. It was reported that it would not benefit pastures to anv extent, but it put a little water into the emptied tanks. The rain caused about an hour's delay in the starting of the Thames Valley tennis tournament. Hot, humid conditions have prevailed in Hamilton for several days and rain threatened yesterday morning. The day was fine, however, but at seven o'clock in the evening heavy rain fell, the shower lasting half an hour. Peals of thunder and flashes of lightning occurred and rain again fell heavily between 8 and 8.30 The conditions were still threatening at 10.30. A thunderstorm also visited the Cambridge district last evening and a few showers fell. Following a very hot and sultry day, rain commenced falling in Pukekohe shortly after nine last evening. The fall commenced very steadily and raised hopes that it might prove to be the longawaited break in the weather. Passengers, by the limited express last evening reported that rain commenced soon after leaving Te Kuiti and continued until within 20 or 30 miles of Auckland. A motorist who arrived in the city at a late hour last evening said he encountered a very heavy downpour of rain as he passed over the Razorback on his way home from Mercer. OTAGO CENTRAL'S TROUBLES LITTLE WATER IN RACES. [by telegraph.—PßESS ASSOCIATION.O DUNEDIN, Monday. Otago Central is in the grip of a severe dry spell and reports show that the water-races are carrying a totally inadequate supply for the needs of the settlers, who contracted with the Government for the supply. Mr. F. W. Furkert, chief engineer, Public "Works Department, paid a visit last week and it is understood he had an important interview with the spokesmen of the very dissatisfied settlers, as the result of which drastic changes are contemplated in the administration.