THE DROUGHT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6451, 24 February 1908, Page 5

THE DROUGHT.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH!, February 22. Rain has been falling at Ashburton, l»nt scorns as far off as ever here. There has boon no rain of any consequence si ace October. Winter feed is now hopeless. GISBORNE, February 22. This district is now enjoying splendid growing weather, with spring-liko effect. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 22. Nice showers fell in some parts of tho district this morning, and more rain seams probable. HOKITIKA, February 22

In the vicinity of Hokitika there was a heavy downpour of rain through the night, accompanied by a severe thunderstorm. In about two and a halfhours 2.F2 inches of rain fell. The deluge was acceptable after- tho long spell of drought North and south of Hokitika only light showers fell.

Jcy came with the rain in Wellington on Saturday night. Black clouds loomed up from the South early in the afternoon and the wind was very cold. A few straggling spots gave hopes of a wet, night, and when at 7.30 the rain began to fall with some earnestness, there was reason for believing that the drought had broken, that bush fires and grass fires would be extinguished, tanks would bo filled, Wai-nui-o-mata reservoir w-ould steadily rise to the outfall, and people on the high levels indulge in a carnival "of baths. Gentle showers fell intermittently until about 10 O’clock. Then the rain rained no more for some hours, but during the early morning the refreshing sound of pattering drops again cheered listeners. Nothing very wet happened, however, and Sundav night had a st»Try sky and little to indicate that the old order of dryness and bush fires and high prices would pass away.