CAVE (South Canterbury).

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 23

CAVE (South Canterbury).

January 4.—A resume of the last four years' rainfall may not be out of place at this time of the year to show the* rainfall in that time In 1915 rain fell on 78 days, and the record was 16.98 in. In 1916 rain fell of 100 days, the record being 28.45 in. In 1917 rain fell on 94 days, the record being 26.23 in. I have registered the following rainfall at Cannington (near the Cave) for the past year: Days. Inches.

Total 80 30.73 There is a considerable difference in the rainfall at various parts of South Canterbury, and I append the return of the rainfall for the past year from various localities: St. Andrews, 23.54 in; Claremont, 28.08 in; Fairlie, 21/20in; Timaru Gardens, 22.45 in; Horwell '.Downs, 40.09 in. _ » ■ The Farm. —.So far as moisture is concerned, most farmers consider there has been sufficient for pastures and grain. The past month bas been favourable for rape and root crops. Though we have had exceptionally cold and stormy weather, grain crops look very healthy, and grnss. where not overstocked, is plentiful. Turnips (where good seed has been sown) are coming on well, and show every indication of being a good crop. Harvest has commenced in some places, and some of the grain is in stook. Sheep-shearina; is a long way behind. Obituary.—l have to record the- death of a very old settler in the person of Mrs David Maxwell, who lived 40 years in the Cannington district. After a long and severe illness of over six years she died, and was buried in Timaru. She leave? a husband and three of a family to mourn their loss. Back from the War. —We have got some of our boys back from the front. Mr T. Stumbles has returned after nearly two years' fighting the Iliins. He was wounded in the leg with a piece of shell. Out of the lads we sent away eight have been killed.

January ,, .. .. ■:. 19 4.08 February .. .. .. .. 12 4.06 March .. .. 11 4.88 April .. .. 5 0.74 May .. .. 7 0.30 June .. .• .. .. .. 5 1.12 July .. .. 8 1.57 August .. .. 7 4.05 September .. .. 4 2.12 October .. .. .. 4 0.98 November .. .. .. .. 13 4.32 Deoemb&r .. .. .. 2 2.66