HEAVIEST SINCE JANUARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19919, 22 April 1939, Page 4

HEAVIEST SINCE JANUARY

LAST NIGHT'S RAINFALL

LITTLE OVER HALF-INCH

Last night's rain, was the heaviest for three months, but only a little more than half an inch was recorded in Gisborne.

The recording at the official station at the aerodrome was .Clin, for the 24 hours ended at 9.30 a.m. to-day, and with the .10in. measured yesterday the total rainfall for the past two days was .7 lint The previous heaviest fall for 24 hours was 1.12 m. on January 25.

Although cold conditions have accompanied the rain, the weather is not expected to be too cool to prevent a response from the pastures, for the ground is still warm. _ The growth between now and the winter, however, is not expected to be very great, and only partial relief is anticipated by the farming community.

Nurserymen with seedling plants for sale should benefit considerably by the rain. Their sales have been very small for some time, but a rush to carry out belated autumn plantings is exoected now.

Rain commenced to fall in the northern area of the Coast on Thursday morning, when light showers were experienced. There were heavy falls in the high country that day, and yesterday morning with a change in the direction of the wind to the south-east the coastal areas received more heavy showers.

Roads Open

Reports indicate that the rain has not been heavy enough to cause trouble along the East Coast road, but the showers have been most welcome for the pastures. For the three days ended at 9 a.m. to-day 1.23 in. of rain was recorded at Wairoro station, Tikitiki.

The Waioeki Valley road was cleared for traffic yesterday afternoon and the Auckland mail was delivered' at the Gisborne Post Office at 4 o'clock. 'Last night the north mail was dispatched as usual, while that from Taneatua arrived here at 5.30 a.m. to-day.

SHIPPING DELAYS HOMEBOATS AFFECTED Two overseas motor vessels, the Otaio and the Waiwera, have been delayed by (the weather conditions at Gisborne. * r The Waiwera readied Gisborne on Thursday morning from Auckland and was expected to sail to-night for Piicton, her next loading port. However, on account of the rain to-day loading operations were cancelled and the vessel will resume work, on Monday, sailing that night for Picton. Already on her way from Lyttelton to Gisborne, the Otaia will arrive in the bay ait 9 a.m. to-morrow, but will not be able to commence loading frozen meat until Wednesday. A gang of men will be employed on <? Monday transferring general cargo to the ship, but until the Waiwera has completed the O'baio will not be able to load her consignment" of meat, which forms the larger part of her Gisborne cargo.