2.27 INCHES OF RAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17185, 8 November 1926, Page 6

2.27 INCHES OF RAIN

YESTERDAY'S PALL HEAVIEST FOR MONTHS COUNTRYSIDE BENEFITS No less than 2.27-in. of rain was recorded for the 4(i hours ended at 9 o'clock this morning, and over 2-in. of this fell yesterday. Light showers fell late on Saturday evening, but it was not until early yesterday morning that ' the downpour really commenced. From 5 o'clock it rained incessantly, and for the 24 hours ended at 9 o'clock yesterday 98 points, was recorded. Towards evening the rain eased off, but between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. 1.24-in. had fallen. After that there were one or two slightshowers only, the total for the 24 hours ended 9, a.m. to-day being 1.27-in.

Some indication of the extent of the downpour can be gained from a comparison of the rainfall figures for the previous months of this year. On no other occasion was there such a substantial fall in a period of similar length, while the rainfall during seven of the 10 months already passed was less than that recorded yesterday. The rain recorded in 12 hours yesterday was heavier than the average for the whole month of November, and during the past eight years November's rainfall has never equalled that of yesterday. As the rain was?fairly warm, the pastures should make good growth during the next week or two. On Friday and Saturday rain was experienced in the back country, and up the coast, and on Saturday night steady,, rain, • which gradually increased in volunie; becaip> general. Dairymen on the Poverty Say flats will find the rain especially beneficial, for their pastures were just reaching the stage when more moisture was needed.

Much good will also be done to re-cently-planted mai2e crops, which are now just commencing to make headway. With the recent rain, and the warm weather which has been experienced, dairymen consider that the prospects for the remainder of the season are distinctly bright. MEREMERE HILL SUPS NORTHERN ROUTE BLOCKED When heavy rain is experienced in the high country of the hinterland, those interested in the maintenance of the motor services focus their attention on the Meremere Hill, on the Motu-Opo-tiki road. Yesterday's heavy rain brought down slips on this section that completely blocked the route, and which may take several days to clear. Two cars set out yesterday from Mottt ■ for Opotiki, but both were unable to continue far past Toatoa. One car stuck in the Toatoa creek, but the other went on and began the long ascent of the hill. Before proceeding far, it encountere'd a minor slip which effectually blocked the road, but which would take but little time to clear. Further on, # there were numerous small suips, and at a bad stage near the top the driver, exploring the road ahead of the car, found a real landslide. Reporting on the obstruction he declared that in many years in that locality he had neverseen so large a slip on the road. It is estimated that it will take several days to open the route for traffic again, and the present difficulty is to make alternative arrangements for through passengers. The actual area of the landslide, and the length of road affected was- not ascertainable yesterday, and the resumption of the services, with exchanges of cars, will depend upon the result of investigations which were to be made \ to-day from both the Motu and Opotiki J& ends of the road. The big*landslide referred to above is on the Motu side of the, Meremere saddle, and it is well known that many danger points exist on fho Opotiki side. WAIAPU FLOODED IMPASSABLE TO-DAY The Waiapu river is m high flood, in consequence of the heavy rains experienced in the country behind Ruatoria. Yesterday and to-day the passenger services beyond Waiomatatini were held up, and it is expected that it will be some days before the motors, can again •jross the river at the old crossirjg at Tikitiki. In the meantime, it is pror posed to use the coaches on this section of the route, and an attempt is to be made to ford the river to-morrow. Yesterday the river was impassible even to riders on horse-back.