THE WATER SCARCITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18622, 5 February 1935, Page 7

THE WATER SCARCITY

DIFFICULTY ON FARMS STREAMS DRYING UP STOCK DRIVEN TO RIVER Water is becoming scarce on a number of farms in the Gisbome district. Pastures are rapidly browning oft'., and supplies of winter feed are being drawn on. This position applies mainly to the flats and the coastal strip "co the north. The back country is more fortunate, and in those part streams are still running well, and there is sufficient feed lor requirements. In the lower country, however, many of the streams have dried up. In the 55 miles between Gisbome and lolaga Bay only one, the Pakarae, has a flow of water, and in that case the level is unusually low. Some farmers on the flats are driving their herds daily to the Waipaoa River for water. The feed position is not yet acute in the Gisbome district, although in parts of Hawke's Bay some of the hill paddocks contain only dust and a little hard stubble, 'while the Waikato is also reported to be worse off than here. Hay and ensilage, together with any lucerne available, are being fed to the dairy herds in this district, and in several instances the winter stocks are being drawn upon. Grass crops wine not heavy during the spring, with the result that farmers are not over-supplied this season with hay and ensilage, and if the dry spell lasts much longer a serious position may develop. DAIRY PRODUCTION Drovers on some routes are experiencing difficulty in securing water, as a result of the streams drying up, and on the road between Gisbome and Tolaga Bay recently a number of dead sheep were noticed. As a result of the dry period, dairy production is declining' rapidly. The flush was about three weeks earlier this season, and ever since tho end of November butterfat production has been falling off very quickly. The showers at the Christmas and New Year period helped the grass a little, and the downward trend was stayed for a week or so, but the continuation of the hot conditions without ruin gave neither the cows nor the pastures an opportunity to pick up. The freezing works at Kaiti are liecoming busier as a result of the dry spell. Farmers, fearing that rain mignt not come for. some time, arc getting away as much fat stock as possible. Many of the lambs and- sheep are only lightly finished. Cattlo are coining forward much earlier than usual. TREES SHRIVELLING

In some of the uncultivated orchards, citrus trees are beginning to shrivel. This condition does not apply to those which have had the ground regularly cultivated, and has nbt developed seriously in any part yet, for a rapid recovery usually follows sufficient rain. These conditions have followed one of the driest years on record. The low winter rainfall left little water in the ground, with the result that the lack of water is more serious at present than the lack of feed, for the showers from time to time kept the! J pastures and crops growing for a long time from surface moisture which contributed nothing to the underground resources feeding the streams. Some farmers were encouraged on Saturday afternoon by overcast conditions, and a heavv fail occurred on the hills behind Muriwai. A slight shower fell in Gisbome during the evening. but was sufficient to register only one point in the rain gauge. It was only enough to lay the dust, and of no benefit whatever to grass or plants. Neither did it assist the water supply at the borough headworks or on the farms-.

FEATHERSTON'S PLIGHT

DELIVERY BY CART (Par Press Association.) CARTERTON, this day. The water supply in Featherston is so low that it has been found necessary for a water inspector to convey quantities around the streets. Practically the only water the town can get is from an artesian in <i cordial factory, which the owner has placed at the disposal of residents. A bell is rung as the water cart traverses the streets, the, residents helping themselves from the conveyance.