RAIN IN WAIKATO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 10

RAIN IN WAIKATO

FURTHER SHARP SHOWERS

MORE STILL REQUIRED

FALL IN PRODUCTION [from ouh own correspondent] HAMILTON. Thursday Although the steady rain that has fallen in other parts of the North Island has not been experienced in Hamilton, frequent sharp showers continued to fall this morning and this afternoon. The total rainfall foi the month was 0.(57 in. at 9 a.m. to-day.

.In the opinion of many dairy company officials, however, the rain that has fallen so far has not been sufficient to arrest the fall in production that lias occurred during the past month. It is stated that further heavy rain will be necessary even to prevent a continued decrease. Farmers' hopes have been raised by the breaking of the dry spell, however, especially as thero appears to be a prospect of further rain.

LIGHTNING DISPLAY

ALARM AMONG RESIDENTS

A spectacular display of lightning was experienced in many parts of the Auckland Piovince early yesterday morning, following the heavy rain of the previous afternoon. The intensity of the display was sufficient to alarm residents at Pukekohe, where the Hill was silhouetted by frequent flashes in the southern sky. Mr. F. Brown, of Totara Avenue, who was an observer early in the morning, saw on one occasion three shafts of forked lightning emanate simultaneously from 0110 centre, which, ho said, resembled the bursting of a gigantic rocket. Another resident, Mr. .G. Weston, who drovo a car home from Auckland late at night, said the lightning became veiy noticeable as ho was approaching Otahuhu and continued throughout the trip. At Pukekohe East there came a dazzling flash which showed up the country in every detail for miles around, but temporarily blinded him. By the time he had recovered his siglit some seconds later the car was among a mob of cattle straying on the road. Except for a short shower about 11 p.m., there was no rain during the display, and thero have been only two or three very short showers since. Lightning struck the electric-power lines in the Onewhcro district, causing a temporary interference. In the Hamilton and Te Awamutu districts the display was exceedingly vivid, the wholo sky being illuminated at intervals of only a few seconds. The centre of the disturbance at first seomed to be in the west. It gradually shifted round to almost due south, but it was a long way off. No damage was reported in the district. In the early hours of the morning very heavy rain was experienced, but was not of long duration. On Wednesday there was rain for several hours at Otorohanga, but Te Awamutu received nothing more than a few drops. ROTORTTA STREETS FLOODED TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED

[by TEI.KGRArn OWN CORRESPONDENT] ROTORTJA, Thursday

A heavy rainstorm marked tho conclusion of the carnival last evening. At about 7 o'clock there was n downpour, and tho streets were awash. In places traffic was blocked. The storm, however, was of short duration. Between 2 and 3 o'clock this morning there was an even greater fall, accompanied by continuous thunder and lightning. EAST COAST DISTRICTS HEAVY FALLS CONTINUE [bx telegraph—OWN correspondent] OPOTIKI. Thursdny Heavy rain fell again last night, another inch being recorded and numerous heavy showers have fallen to-day. There will now be ample feed for stock and cream production should be maintained. Maize crops are well advanced but blight has taken charge of the potato crops and promises to be tho worst visitation experienced for a number of years. At Tauranga a further four points of rain fell this morning, making 0.94 in. for the past two days. The weather was very humid and the indications wore for more rain. GISBORNE BACK COUNTRY STREAMS RUNNING HIGH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] GISBORNE, Thursday From Rakauroa, 35 miles north-west of Gisborne, 4.58 in. of rainfall was reported for 24 hours to 9 a.m. to-day. All mountain streams are running high in the Motu district. SUNSHINE IN NORTH TRAFFIC ROUTES OPENED [BY TELEGRAPn —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI. Thursday The weather cleared to-day, which was beautifully fine and sunny, with every appearance of conditions being settled. The northern patrol of tho Automobile Association reported to-day that tho heavy rain in the vicinity of Maromaku yesterday caused the main highway to become flooded late last evening, and also at Hukerenui and Kawakawa this morning. Thi»s afternoon there was 2Jit. of water over the road at Kawakawa. ]f the fine weather continues it is expected tho road will ho clear to-morrow. v The alternative routo north, via Whangarei through the Mangakahia Gorge, is quite clear, as are also both routes to the Far North, via Whangaroa and Mangamuka. Traffic is also proceeding through the Waipoua forest as usual. Fine weather was experienced at Kaitaia to-day, and all flood waters are subsiding. RELIEF IN CANTERBURY THIRSTY SOIL DRENCHED [nv TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] 0H RI ST CHURCH, Thursday After a few showers overnight fairly heavy rain sot in over Canterbury this morning and continued this afternoon, breaking a dry spell of five weeks' duration. The rain is doing an immense amount of good to pastures, crops and gardens. "It is tho best New Year's gift the country could have had. It's worth thousands of pounds to the province," said a prominent farmer. Nearly the whole of tho parched province shared tho rain, and reports from country districts carried a jubilant note of satisfaction. There was practically no wind, and the thirsty soil absorbed the rain as quickly as it fell. Falls of varying volume occurred over tho province. In most instances the rain was steady and gave promise of continuing.