WELCOME RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21961, 19 November 1934, Page 10

WELCOME RAIN

WEEK-END SHOWERS WHOLE PROVINCE BENEFITS HEAVIER FALLS NEEDED Warm, refreshing rain was experienced in Auckland and practically throughout the province on Saturday afternoon and night and in the early hours of yesterday morning. Further rain fell last night. There were showers heavy enough to be highly beneficial to pastures in the fanning districts and to bring some hope to the heart of the suburban gardener who, during the last few days, has laboured in ground almost resembling concrete. But the fall, although welcome, was not heavy enough. For the 48 hours ended at midnight last night, the fall was .50in. Although the dry spell has not yet been sufficiently prolonged to cause any acute shortage of feed, those with an eye to the future suggest that rain measured in inches rather than points may soon be needed. In the city and suburbs rain started to fall on Saturday morning. However, it was hardly more than a light drizzle and, although there were two or three heavier showers in the afternoon, they caused only short, temporary interruptions in sports fixtures. The really heavy showers.occurred at night and early yesterday morning, but the summer heat of the past fortnight had so parched the earth that the moisture rapidly disappeared. The Strawberry Crops

However, it was stated that tho rain would probably be of some assistance to strawberry crops. Adequate moisture is needed to bring the berries to maturity and the absence of raiu has been responsible for comparatively short supplies in Auckland. It is thought that the showers of the weokoud will tide tho plants over a difficult period, although it is stressed that more rain is needed.

Although in most parts of the province it was stated that rain nad not been urgently required, the week-end i'all was, nevertheless, welcomo. Reports from Hamilton yesterday stated that rain had been general throughout the Waikato, with several very heavy showers early yesterday morning. There was no scarcity of feed in the district, but the rain was expected to result iu a further .improvement of the position. Similarly, in the North Auckland district, there was steady, warm rain on Saturday afternoon, while the evening was showery. There has been abundant feed, which has not been threatened up to the present. Even in the Northern Wairoa district, where there is a definite need for more rain, there is no scarcity of fodder. Production throughout North Auckland is stated to be up to the maximum, chiefly as a result of excellent rains in early spring. Hauraki Plains Conditions

Heavier rain is Btated to be urgently required in the Hauraki Plains district, where growth of late has been retarded by dry conditions. There was a good fall round the hills over the week-end, farms in that locality benefiting considerably, but over the plain the showers were much lighter. Rain also fell at Pukekohe and over the surrounding district on Saturday, freshening crops and pastures, but heavier falls will be needed within the next few days. It was still raining last night and the total fall for the weekend was about half-an-inch. In Auckland yesterday and, indeed, throughout the province conditions were overcast and humid, with a prospect of further rain. There were some light showers in the city and suburbs in the late afternoon and steady rain set in at night. The rainfall for November up to midnight on Friday was ,25in., so that the showers of the weekend have approximately trebled the amount of rain recorded so far this month. Tho maximum temperature reading in Auckland for the week-end was 74 degrees and the barometer reading at midnight was 29.55 in.