THE WEATHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 22

THE WEATHER.

{Fkcii Ocb Own ConnESPON dents.') GERALDINE, October 1. Tho rainfall registered bore for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on September 30, was 23 points. The total rainfall for tho month was 37 points. Tho maximum fall on any one day was 23 points on tho 29th, and the number of days on which rain fell was five. The mean barometer was 29.64 deg., and the mean temperature was 51.93 deg. The maximum temperature was 71 dog., and tho minimum temperature was 28deg. I cannot recollect such a dry season. The country is suffering badly. OR ART, October 1. The rainfall registered here for tho month of September was 20 points. Rain fell on six days, tho maximum fall being 11 points on the 29th. The highest reading of tho maximum thermometer was 79 points, on tho 17th, tho lowest of the minimum thermometer being 33dog. on tho 7th. Tho drought still continues. HILLGROVE, September 30. For the 24 hours ending 9 a m. 35 points of rain were registered at Trotter’s Creek,

Hillgrove. This has saved the situation in the meantime in this district. BUSHEY PARK. September 30. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on the 29th was 5 points, and on the 30th 33 points. The total for the month is 70 points, all of which fell since the 19th. As the weather of late has been calm and foggy, the absence of rain has not boon severely felt, and the country looks fairly green. Since the beginning of the year 10.35 inches have been registered. WAIKOUAITT, September 50. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on the 29th was 6 points, and to-day 40 points. A steady, warm rain fell, and will do a vast amount of good GALLOWAY. September 30. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 24 points. ALEXANDRA. September 30. Twenty-six points of rain fell last night, and there is a slight coating of snow on the Old Man Range. The weather to-day is beautifully line and spring-like. More rain, however, is necessary for the pastures and crops. Jf there is no frost the fruit crops should be exceptionally good. TAPANUI, September 30. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 77 points. RANFURLY, October 1. The total ra’nfall for iho month of September was 91 points, falling on six days, The minimum fall was 53 points on the 19th. The maximum temperature in the shade was 70 degrees on the 26th, and the minimum 21 degrees on the 2nd The minimum temperature on the ground was 17 degrees on the 2nd. Frost occurred on 11 ivghts in the screen, and on 21 nights on the ground. DIPTON, September 30. The rainfall registered hero for the 24 hours ended 9 30 a.m. was 2.3 points. WOODLANDS, October 1. The rainfall registered here for September was 187 points, rain falling on 15 days. The country looks well, and the prospects of the farming community never looked bettor. Farmers in the Geraldine district were again disappo’nted on Wednesday morning when the clouds rolled by once more. About 2 o’clock, however, a thunderstorm passed to the north-westward, and (says the Timaru Herald) rain fell for about half an hour. Steady rains are reported to have fallen on Wednesday afternoon in the Hampden, Herbert. Maheno, and Kauroo Hill districts, and. in fact, from all districts from Dunedin to Totara (says the North Otago Times). To the immediate north of the centres mentioned only slight rains were reported. Rain fell in Oamaru about 8 p.m., and continued at intervals until a late hour. FARMERS’ UNION. MEETING OF TIMARU BRANCH. TIMARU, October 2. The Timaru branch of the Farmers’ Union to day endorsed the resolution of the Chamber of Commerce that the export of grain should be permitted and the duty replaced on imported grain. In a discussion on the question of labour for the next harvest, great praise was given to the Dunedin College students who spent the summer vacation on farms in this district last year. Those who had them hoped they would be available again. DROUGHT IN THE SOUTH. WHEAT GROWING AFFECTED. WELLINGTON, October 3. “ The drought in the South Island has chiefly affected South Canterbury and North Otago, which are the principal wheat-growing areas of the dominion,” said the Prime Minister to-day. “ I regard the outlook as very serious indeed. If we get rain within the next two or three weeks the position will be saved. It is unfortunate that the drought has struck the wheat-growing districts more than anywhere else. “It has been suggested that I should permit the exportation of wheat to Australia on condition that it was returned when.the Australian harvest came in. I do not intend to take any risks with the foodstuffs of the people, nor take any chances of getting ourselves in the position in which we found ourselves last year, owing to the shortage of wheat.’ s