WELCOME RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 10

WELCOME RAIN

GOOD FALL IN CITY:

CONTINUOUS FOR HOURS

MUCH BENEFIT TO GARDENS

HEAVY FOG ON SATURDAY NIGHT

During the week-end, welcome rain was experienced, in almost all parts of tho 'Auckland Province, and great benefit to pastures is expected to follow. In the city, the fall,. although it was at no time heavy, wai continuous for hours, and the warm, soaking rain will have a considerable effect on gardens and orchards. Light rain commenced to fall in Auckland early on Saturday morning, and continued intermittently until noon, when it increased in force. Almost the whole afternoon the fall continued steadily, conditions improving again in the evening. An unusually heavy fog enveloped the city throughout the night, causing motorists to proceed' cautiously. The fog was fairly heavy on the harbour, and the siren on the eastern tide .deflector was sounded for a short time before midnight. Yesterday morning further rain fell almost continuously until after mid-day, when a north-easterly wind commenced to blow, and the rain lessened in intensity. Only light scattered showers were cxpcrienced last evening. '% The total fall during the 24 hours ended, at midnight on Saturday was .24in., and yesterday .36in. fell. Tho barometer remained steady yesterday morning at 29.90 in., falling last evening to 29.85 in. The rain should provo of tho greatest benefit to market gardeners supplying the city with produce, as supplies of almost all lines are backward, having been delayed by the succession of frosts early in the spring and the recent dry weather. In the country, pastures should benefit, particularly in districts which havo experienced a succession of frosts or cold ■winds delaying pasture growth. CONDITIONS IN WAIKATO STEADY RAIN ON SATURDAY [r&OM ,OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON", Sunday A week of fine weather, with light frosts, ranging from one to two degrees, and two morning fogs, was broken at noon when light ram began to fall. The rain was intermittent throughout the afternoon, and became steady in the early evening. The rainfall in Hamilton for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day totalled ,37in.

The rain was very welcome, /or although there was a light fall on the pre■vious Saturday, it was insufficient to meet requirements in most districts. No rain had previously fallen for some weeks, and the long succession of 81 frosts during the autumn and winter months had seriously checked growth. Aided by the rainfall of the last two week-ends, the pastures are now making satisfactory development, and the stock is being provided 'with fodder which has been in short supply for some time. Rain was welcomed by gardeners and by those dependent on tank water for household requirements. Most of the tanks had become empty and the carrying of water has had to be resorted to. The weather in Hamilton was fine to-day, although the sky is overcast, and further rain is threatened. WHANGAREI DISTRICT FALL BENEFITS PASTURES

[FROSI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]

"WHANGAREI, Sunday

Heavy rain commenced at about five ©'clock this morning, lasting for an hour, and this was followed by light showers. After 10 o'clock a steady, warm, penetrating drizzle with occasional heavy showers fell throughout the district, and after nightfall steady rain set in with every indication of continuing.

Added to the rain of last week the benefit to pastures will be enormous. The rainfall for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. today was .24in., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to-day .16in. One prominent farmer states that this September'is the best for many years, there being almost an entire absence of the cold winds usually experienced in September. Lambing results are good, the percentage being 90.