NEWS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2902, 27 October 1909, Page 22

NEWS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS.

ASHBURTON, October 24. A steady., cola, southerly vain, has now been falling wi*h hut little intermission since Fr'day afternoon, and as yet there are no pi ospects of its abatement. The total measurement of the fall up till^ 4 o'clock this afternoon was 4.61 in. So fa' crops have not been deleteriouoly affected, but a heavy mortality has been caused among!>t newly-shorn sheep, losses totalling about 1500 having aheadv beer reported in the Levels County, while fears .ire expiessed that ;n; n the nigher parts of the county and the hill country, wheie the lambing was much later, a very grievous position of affairs has been cieatcd. TIMARU, October 24. For three da}-s a seveie ?outheily gale, accompanied at times by the heaviest downpour of rain experienced for year^, has been blowing. The rivers in the dir-tii t are all in flood, but so far no serious damage is reported. On Friday and Saturday the weather v. as veiy cold, and loss of stock is feared, paitiui'iarly among lamb-. To-day the teirperatme has riben,. and the condition*- generally are muc'i brighter. Up till Satin day more than 2in of iv.ir. had fallen in 48 hour-;. A heavy <-ea was running, but the water* »i the haibr'iir \vpi° c.ilni enough to woik any steamer. So far a^ Tim.iru is con(oned no -enout damage lias been done, ihouuh A fp\v old feiiCPt- and gaidens huvL- -nfi'-red It is hoped that 'ho \w:if'iei, which hat boon Aeiy broktn thi.s -j ii'v, v. ill take a tuin for tiie better,

as the land has had more than enouga of wet and cold. OAMARU, October 23. A hcavj- gale has been experienced, and; continues -vfrith unabated vigour. The Corinna arrived at 10 last night, but was unable to get in. A number of fishing craft lyinj in the harbour broke their, moorings and were smashed on the rocks*