WELCOME RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23870, 22 January 1941, Page 6

WELCOME RAIN

BENEFIT TO PROVINCE PRODUCTION STIMULATED WATER SHORTAGE RELIEVED Welcome rain which set in from the north-east shortly before midnight on Monday and continued heavily until about noon yesterday, after which there were intermittent light showers, has greatiy alleviated the parched condition brought about in the Auckland Province by the hot, drying winds of the last week. The rapid decline in milk production in the "YVajknto since Christinas will be checked by the rain, and fresh feed should now prolong the production period. The fall recorded on the Herald gauge for the 21 hours ended midnight last night was l.ooin. The warm, steady, penetrating downpour which fell throughout yesterday in the Waikato will refresh the pastures that were cut last ino:ith for hay, and the growth of root crops will ba hastened. Tor the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday .27in. of rain was recorded at Hamilton. Water Shortage in !i?orth During Monday night and yesterday morning 1.40 in. of rain fell in Whangarei, when the heaviest downpour for over a month was experienced. The rain was general throughout the district, where the shortage of drinking water for the dairy herds, not so much the condition of the pastures, was

worrying farmers. To this shortage of <irinki?i£r nater for stork the manager .of the Whang,l- - dairy factory. .Mr. A. \Y. Millington, largely attribute., the rapid decline in cream production in the north. Rain over the week-end replenished the water •Hippiy on many tanfis, but it was considered that not sufficient rain had yet raikn to supply the required drinking wn ter.

The rain at Pukekohe.continued well into yesterday, giving the ground a good .soaking which should prove a help in maintaining production for the season at a satisfactory level. An improved yield from autumn seed and potato crops should be shown. Danger of Brown Rot

ATI fruit in Auckland orchards, except stone fruit, which is being harvested or is close to maturity, will benefit from tlie downpour, which was badly needed. There is now a danger of brown rot arising in' stone fruit orchards. Should the rain not continue long, tomatoes will also benefit, but with too much rain there is a danger of the tomatoes splitting if they are close to harvesting. Small fruit should respond immediately to the rain, which will greatly benefit home and market gardens. For the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday, .9oin. of rain fell in Auckland, according to the Albert Park gauge, bringing the month's total to 2.18 in. The maximum temperature yesterday was 73 degrees, and there was a fairly high minimum temperature of 66 degrees. The barometer, which had dropped from 29.94 in. at midnight on Monday to 29.74 in. at five o'clock yesterday afternoon, rose to 29.80 in. at midnight last night..