BAY OF PLENTY AREA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 14

BAY OF PLENTY AREA

FARMERS STILL ANXIOUS GOOD DOWNPOUR AWAITED SETTLERS CARTING WATER [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE. Tuesday Showers over tlie week-end were welcomed and will do something to freshen pastures and start growth, but farmers are anxiously awaiting a really good downpour which will bring away a good flush of grass and check the fall in butter-fat production, estimated to be about 20 per cent on last year. Unless rain falls soon the harvest will be A scanty one. The Rangitaiki Plains swamp country needs ruin, but the area is definitely not as badly affected as the Galatea area, which is described as parched. The Onepu small farms block, which has a subsoil of Tarawera ash, is also reported to be drying off. Residents who depend on tank water aro finding the position trying. This is especially noticeable at Ohope Beach, where people aro carting supplies from springs some distance away from their houses.

DRY SEASON IN WAIKATO LITTLE RAIN THIS MONTH [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday Although Labour week-end was marred by unsettled weather and several heavy showers of rain were experienced, the total rainfall in Hamilton during the three days was only .34in. The total rainfall for October so far is now .87in., which is 3.65 in. lower than tho average for tho whole month. Tho urgent necessity for heavy,rain is being emphasised by the fact that farmers in the Waikato are finding themselves overstocked owing to backward pastures. The total rainfall for the year so far is only 1.58 in. below the average yearly rainfall of 46.32 in., but the greater proportion of this total fell in the first six months of the year.

BELIEF FOB TE ABOHA IMPROVED PRODUCTION LIKELY [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TE AROHA, Tuesday Intermittent showers of heavy rain fell throughout the week-end, necessitating the abandonment of all sports fixtures. The fall, however, is described by district farmers as particularly beneficial, being tho first for nearly six weeks." Production figures for tho present spring have been low throughout the Thames Valley owing to tho abnormally dry weather. The week-end fall, half an inch, should do much to stimulate the pastures and bring about improved returns. SOWING MADE POSSIBLE

OPOTIKI DISTRICT CONDITIONS [by telegraph—own correspondent] OPOTIKI, Tuesday Tho long spell of dry weather in the Opotiki district was broken on Sunday afternoon, when a shower fell on tho flats. Rain fell steadily for some time last night, .47in. being recorded. The fall in tlio western portion of tho county was much heavier than on tho flats. Although further rain will bo welcomed. the fall Inst night will do considerable good and also have the effect of enabling crops to be sown, as the surface has now been softened sufficiently to bo broken up to a fino tilth. The fall in butter-fat production is expected to be arrested and there should bo a good increaso as soon as tho feed has had time to como away.