GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20931, 10 January 1938, Page 3

GERALDINE

CROPS FLATTENED DOWNPOUR OF RAIN Crops in the Geraldine district have been badly flattened as a result of the downpour of rain which set in during the early hours of Saturday morning. Recent rains have made the ground so soft that there was no resisting the downpour at the week-end. and the crops, which had recovered from the effects of the exceptionally dry spring and from which a good yield had been anticipated, have now been beaten flat, and in some cases the wheat looks as if it had been mowed down. The only hope of recovery is a spell of hot weather accompanied by moderate winds. In a good many cases shearing Is only about half completed, and this work has suffered another interruption beside the risk of loss of shorn sheep during the wet conditions. The Rangitata River was exceptionally high, and about 9 a.m. yesterday it reached its peak at the south branch at Rangitata. where it was running between the two "Settlers” bridges. The river had not been so high for a considerable time. Heavy rain commenced in the early hours of Saturday, and at 9 a.m. Mr B. R. Macdonald’s gauge at “Waitui” registered 1.34 inches, and a further 35 points was recorded yesterday morning, making a total of 1.69 in for the 48 hours. A heavy downpour occurred at "Silverton,” where Mr J. M. H. Tripp’s gauge recorded I.oBin on Saturday morning, and a further 83 points yesterday, a total of 1.91 in. Fortunately shearing operations had been completed. At Orari Gorge Station, where shearing was again interrupted. l.lOin was registered on Saturday, and 76 points at 9 o’clock yesterday morning, a total of 1.86 in. Heavy rain also fell at Rangitata, where Mr W. J. Coulter’s gauge registered 1.13 in on Saturday and 53 points yesterday, a total of 1.66 in. Bright sunshine prevailed in Geraldine early yesterday morning, but conditions became overcast, with showers and a fresh southerly wind a few hours later.

“LEARN TO SWIM" WEEK Under the auspices of the Geraldine Swimming Club, Mr J. Breward, honorary instructor to the Canterbury Centre of the Royal Life Saving Society, will commence classes in swimming and life-saving at the Domain baths to-day. Afternoon sessions will commence to-day. and morning sessions to-morrow. Instruction will be free, and the following times and enrolling officers have been arranged:— 10 a.m.—Std. IV and V girls and boys, learners, Mr J. J. McGuigan. 11 a.m. —Std. VI girls and boys, learners, Mr J. J. McGuigan. 2 p.m—High School learners. Messrs John Coursey and lan McGuigan. 3 p.m.—High School life-saving and advanced swimming, Messrs John Coursey and lan McGuigan. 4 p.m.—Adult learners. Mr D. C. McKechnie. 6 p.m.—Women’s life-saving and advanced swimming, Miss Joan Lapthom. 6.45 p.m.—Men’s life-saving and advanced swimming, Mr Douglas Bennett. A social and presentation in honour of Mr J. Fifield and Miss E. Fifield will be held in the Woodbury Coronation Hall on Wednesday, January 12.