THE WEATHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2801, 20 November 1907, Page 35

THE WEATHER.

GENERAL AND BENEFICIAL RAINS.

(Faou Opr Own Correspondent.)

ALEXANDRA S., November 18.

General rain all over Central Otago, lasting fully six hours, fell this morning. When it commenced the rain fell very heavily for a short time, afterwards resolving itsolf into a steady shower. The rain will prove one of the most benefioial experienced here for some time, as the ground was beginning to show a- burnt, appearance, and growth and crops will benefit considerably by the copious fall. The weather has now cleared. PATEAROA, November 18. Steady, so&km/r rain set in tliis morning all over the Maniototo district.

Welcome rains have (says a corresjiondent) fallen generally in Central Otago. A strong gale blew during t.he whole of Saturday on the Maniototo Plain, and it was particuarlv strong the same evening at Naseby. Much fear .was felt for the season* prosperity, with respect to both cropping and mining. Fortunately rain set in at about 6 a.m. on Saturday, and continued steadilf for five hours. The rain was general right through from Omakau downwards. The whole country now presents a beautiful and refreshed appearance, in marked contrast with that existing previously.

— A race for ,ife, tn which eighi students navrowly escaped a herriHlo death, marked the depasture of the Edinburgh University Artillery Volunteerfl from Bud« don Camp, Forfarshire, whe>-e they had been in camp foi Whitsuntide. The students were practicing with 47--rth4 7 --rth guns at 8000yd3, when, owing to fog the finals were misunderstood, and a gun jpened fire at a wrong target and a slnapnel shell whizzed over the heads of a range party of eight, whV>, 'ealising their danger, ru-hed for shelter They got c!«»ar just aa a second shrapnel burst on the spot where they had etood a minute before.