DRY SPELL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20476, 30 November 1934, Page 7

DRY SPELL.

Shortage of Water for Homes and Gold Mining. WEST COAST WEATHER. (Special to the " Star.”) GREYMOUTIi. This Day. The present month has been the driest November for the past eleven years, with a rainfall of 2in as compared with 6.13 in in November of last year and 7.58 in in November. 1932. In the past 31 years there have been only five months in which lower falls have been recorded at Grevmouth—February, 1911, 120 points: December, 1916, 156 points; November, 1917, 153 points; February, 1921, 186 points; and April, 1923, 190 points. The dry spell has resulted in some of the smaller creeks being dried up, while practically all streams are at a very low level. Those dependent on tanks for their domestic needs are finding their supplies running short, and if the present fine weather conditions continue they will have to resort to the cartage of water. The lack of rainfall has created a serious position among many goldminers, who are dependent on water for shticing purposes. Several of the larger gold-producing concerns have been adversely affected by the dry spell, the Big River quartz mine and the Bell Hill Sluicing Company being among those whose operations have been curtailed. The shortage of water is also giving concern to .several sawmills, and a downpour would be generally’- welcomed.