WIDESPREAD RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 14

WIDESPREAD RAIN

NORTH ISLAND DISTRICTS AUCKLAND AREAS BENEFIT WAIKATO GRASS REVIVING PEAT FIRES UNAFFECTED Further beneficial rain fell in practically all parts of the Auckland Province and elsewhere in tho North Island throughout Thursday night. Tlio fall apparently was greatest in Poverty Bay, whore it averaged 2in., reaching n little over 3in. in one locality. Showers occurred in many districts yesterday and at Whangarei and Dargavillo a steady downpour was reported. Howover, tho fall on an average was much loss than that of the night before. In Auckland .24in. fell between midnight and 9 a.m., making with tho total for the previous 24 hours, a littlo under half an inch. Showers fell at intervals during tho day. Heavy rain, accompanied by a freshening north-easterly wind, set in shortly before midnight, and continued to fall steadily. The total fall for the 24 hours ended midnight was .49in. The rain increased later in intensity, and at one o'clock this morning a further .20in. had fallen, and the downpour showed no signs of easing. Signs of reviving pastures arc now to bo soon in many parts of the Waikato as the result of tho rain that has fallen during the past week. Tho yellowishbrown hue that paddocks everywhere have borne for two months is now giving way to a welcome fresh greenness. Since Saturday last l.lOin. of rain has fallen at Hamilton, the fall in other localities varying a good deal. Tho rain which fell lightly for several hours on Thursday afternoon continued after an abatement in the early hours of this morning and brought the total up to .24in. for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m yesterday. Eastern Districts

So far the rain has not had much effect on the peat fires, which are still burning freely. Many relief workers are engaged in fire-fighting, and their efforts have confined the outbreaks to areas which have already been traversod bv the flames. Deep trenches are being dug and filled with sand as a means of keeping the fires in check. So far th<> work has been effectual, but stronjz gusty winds are a constant menace, as they cause fresh outbreaks and keep tho peat and tree stumps alight. A heavy rainstorm occurred on Thursday night at Kawhia, but its effect on pastures was lessened yesterday by a strong warm wind, which dried the grass and surface soil considerably. Greatly appreciated rainfall, the best for many weeks, was registered at Te Aroha yesterday, the gauge showing 1.26 in. at 9 a.m. Tho fall was general throughout the Te Aroha district. Since the showers on Monday the grass ha« been coming away fast, and root crops are also responding. A good supply of feed is therefore assured for some time. The rain has replenished the town water supply, which was running low. The fall recorded at Paeroa amounted to 1.28 in. at 9 a.m. yesterday. Previously. no rain of any consequence had fallen since New Year's Day. Good North Auckland Season At Tauranga the fall totalled 18 points, making 23 points for this week. It will be most beneficial to gardens and swede crops, and has come at a very opportune time for maize. Much more rain is required, however, to restore growth to dairy pastures. Many farmers are relying principally upon lucerne and paspalum, which have proved a good standby. Almost continuous rain fell at Whangarei yesterday, making nearly lin. in 24 hours. The changed weather has put new life into the pasturos and crops, which in several districts were becoming paicljed as the result of five weeks' dry* heat. Experienced farmers say that the present rain, combined with the great amount of feed available, should make the present season a record one. The rain, combined with the very sultry atmosphere, has affected ripening peach very considerably with blight. The first rain for a month fell at Dargaville, registering 30 points at 9 a.m. yesterday. Later there were heavy showers, which developed into a steady downpour. The rain is not urgently needed by farmers, who have a surplus of green feed. Many also are busy cutting second crops of hay, and the rain stopped operations. Never in tho history of Hip district has there been Buch abundance of feed at this period of tho year. Butter-fat returns aro keeping up remarkably well and are ahead of those for tho same period last season. There is erery indication that cash returns will be slightly better than those of last season. Tha Far North

Reports from Kaitaia show that light warm showers havo fallen over the greater part of the Far North, and although more rain is needed, that which has already fallen will help to check the rapid decline of cream supplies to the butter factories. Dairy production has kept up this year to a record figure, but during the past fewweeks the sunplies have fallen away rapidly, especially on the hill country, the grass on the flats being still green and fresh. Heavy rain at Paparoa has refreshed the hill pastures and relieved the shortage of water for stock. NO RAIN AT DUNEDIN CRICKET DIFFICULTIES [BY TELKGIUPH —PRKSS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN. Friday All Dunedin sports grounds are badly parched. The continuation of the drought and water restrictions may presently involve a curtailment of cricket, since conditions may become dangerous. At Carisbrook, so far as tho main wicket is concerned, the caretaker is able to prepare it by carting water from the adjacent Glen Creek. Practice wickets are so hard that fast bowlers deliver at a moderate pace only on account of danger to tho batsmen.

WELLINGTON CONDITIONS

CITY WATER SHORTAGE

[by telegraph—PßESS association] WELLINGTON, Friday

Last night's light rain had no appreciable effect on the city's water shortage. It will take several inches of ram, repeated every few weeks, to place the city in a secure position agninst dry weather.