PEEL FOREST

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20667, 4 March 1937, Page 4

PEEL FOREST

FEBRUARY WEATHER The month of February was notable for the very changeable and unsettled weather. Very few fine days were experienced. Cold sou’-west storms brought snow on the hills, and as a result several severe frosts followed. A very heavy nor’-west storm with thunder and lightning was experienced towards the end of the month. Rain fell on nine days during February for a total of 4.45 inches, the maximum fall being 92 points on the 12th. The following were the detailed recordings:—February 3, 30 points; 7, 65 points; 10, 52 points; 12, 92 points; 14, 55 points, 18, 20 points; 23, 65 points; 24, 30 points; 25, 36 nolnts—total 4.45 inches, compared with 10.14 inches in February, 1936, 3.88 inches in 1935, 4.70 inches in 1934, and 1.57 inches in 1933. The total rainfall to date this year is 8.49 inches, compared with 15.04 inches for the same period last year.

WHITE BUTTERFLIES At present white butterflies are exceptionally numerous in the district. The pest first put in an appear-.nce during spring, then disappeared for several months, only to return recently in thousands. SALMON FISHING Salmon Ashing prospects in the Rangitata River will mainly depend on the weather conditions during the month. Salmon have appeared in the river much earlier than usual, and a large run set in a few days before the river came down in flood, causing much disappointment to upstream anglers. The river should be flshabli to-morrow. Owing to the abnormal number of nor'-westers the Rangitata has been in an unflshable condition for the greater part of the Ashing season. At present cold nights have greatly helped to clear the river, but as the weather continues to be very unsettled, further nor’-west winds probably will set in within a few days.