TORRENTIAL RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 8

TORRENTIAL RAIN.

EARLY MORNING STORM. AUCKLAND AREA SWEPT. BENEFIT TO FARM LANDS. One of the heaviest rainstorms experienced in Auckland swept over the city and suburbs shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday morning and, with varying intensity, continued until about 9 a.m. Thereafter rain fell at intervals throughout tho day and last night. From 2 a.m. to mid-day yesterday nearly 2in. of rain was recorded in the city, a large proportion of it having fallen in the initial deluge of the early hours. The suddenness of the downpour was equalled only by its intensity. A slight drizzle was falling when, with all the characteristics of a cloudburst, the %ky appeared to open and rain crashed down in blinding sheets. It fell upon rooftops and verandahs with a constant and deafening roar, and the streets of the oity were covered in places several inches deep. A motorist belated in Queen Street was [surprised by the downpour. Fearing for the engine of his car ho jumped out into the deluge, threw a sack over the bonnet of the vehicle, and took refuge under a verandah. He reached tho pathway wet to the skin. Another motorist was cut off from his parked car by streams of water that rushed down each side of Wyndham Street, almost meeting in the centre of the road in one unbroken torrent. Temporary Lakes. Low-lying street intersections throughout the city and suburbs were transformed temporarily into lakes. Storm water drains were hard-pressed to cope with the flow which cascaded down the gutters, at times breaking bounds and flooding the footpaths. Visibility was /hnost completely obscured. For about 20 minutes the downpour continued with unabated fierceness, before giving place to lighter, although still heavy, rain. The majority of Aucklanders, safely in bed, were not aware of the early morning visitation, although ' some 1 were awakened by the roar of the rain upon their iron-roofed houses. Also, the intensity of the storm was not evenly distributed, some areas escaping the heaviest of the downpour. It was an experience general to most suburban dwellers, however, to discover that it was laining heavily when they rose to set about their daily tasks. Particularly heavy rain fell in some districts before 9 o'clock, and school attendances were accordingly affected. Welcomed by Nurserymen. iio damage from flooding was repoited in the city, the tide in the harbour being favourable to the outflow of stormwater. The rain did. however, discover weak spots in wooden houses, in some cases causing minor damage by penetrating walls and overflowing from gutters. Outlying farm lands, nurseries and suburban gardens will benefit immensely as a result of the soaking they received, i Had such a downpour been accompanied by wind nurseries and gardens would have suffered heavily. As it is little planting is done in January, and the land had been rendered extremely dry by the recent warm spell. Excess water, therefore, could not gather. The effect of the rain is to place dry and unworkable land in an excellent state for planting. The effect of the continued rain can Vie measured in thousands of pounds of value to dairy farmers. As a result of the recent dry weather the milk yield had fallen off and the farmers' difficulties were becoming accentuated. Coming early in the year, while the land is still warm, the rain immeo'itedly promotes a strong growth of grass, the feeding value of which is soon reflected in the milk yield and which puts the etock in good condition to face the winter. Benefit to the Waikato. Heavy rain fell in Hamilton during Thursday night and yesterday, the rain gauge registering .43in. Since the dry spell was broken on February, 11 1.53 in. of rain has been recorded. Pastures throughout the district are already losing their parched appearance, and fresh grass is springing into life. The rains have been very beneficial everywhere in tho AVaikato, and aro worth an incalculable amount to dairy farmers. Further good rain was experienced in the Pukekohe district yesterday, beginning in the early hours of the morning. The i total fall since 9 a.m. on Thursday is | slightly over lin. In the past eight days the measurements of ruin fall as recorded at the Pukekohe primary school total 3.53 in. ! The ground has now had a much-needed soaking, while a verdant greenness has rej placed the parched appearance of the pas1 1ures. BENEFIT IN BAY OF PLENTY. MAIZE AND ROOT CROPS. [BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] TAURATsTiA. Friday. Excellent soaking rains fell all day since j 5 a.m. Added to the moisture of the past week, to-day's rains will mean a very appreciable growth in the pastures. The maize and root crops will also benefit. Generally speaking, the. rains have considerably improved the farming position.