WELCOME RAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24460, 20 November 1940, Page 6

WELCOME RAIN

HEAVY FALL IN CANTERBURY j WHEAT AREAS BENEFIT (Per United Press Association* CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 19. j Rain which relieved the anxieties of \ city gardeners this evenin also tell in all the. important cropping areas of ] the province, particularly where it was most needed. Along a great. deal of ! the wheatgrowing area the fall came: j at a critical time, and there is ,no, doubt that a continued fall overnight and for another few hours meant the difference between a good wheat crop and a medium one In other words, the rain, if it continues, will add some busnels an acre to Canterbury's wheat crop. "•'■:•- ■ The coastal areas received, the fall first; the rain gradually ,w6rk;ing inland to centres where dt ; was needed almost as badly as those ■ along the coastal belt. At Ashburton, Rakaia, Barrhill. and Kaiapoi the rain was fairly general this evening, and at all the other centres the indications were definitely for a spread of the fall to the extent that it would cover, ill Canterbury. vIn areas closer in to the hills the carry-over from the north-west, fains on the West Coast has helped considerably to avert the near drought conditions that have ruled down to the coast, but even in those areas the rain was needed to maintain the quality of the crops, particularly wheat. .'.,■'•■.; ' .* In the city rain threatened for most" of the afternoon, and started to fall about 5 p.m. Nearly half an hour! later there was a shower f. hail, but the fall was not sustained enough to do damage.. Late this evening steady rain was still falling. •