THE NEED FOR RAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 4

THE NEED FOR RAIN

COUNTRY AREAS PARCHED WANGANUI AND RANGITIKEI The prolonged spell of dry weather which has been experienced in Wanganui and Rangitikei districts for several weeks continues with no indication of an immediate change. Although a few scattered showers have been recorded at intervals in the city and suburbs, the heat that has been experienced during the past two months has been such that the ground is now badly in need of moisture. In many places the ground has become cracked with the warm rays of the sun, with the result that there will be need for several hours of heavy rain before any beneficial effects are noticed. Lawns and gardens are all showing signs of the dry weather and will be sopiled if rain does not fall in the near future. In some inland areas well back from the coast pastures have been affected by the lack of rain, with an appreciable decline in dairy production. In some parts the water supply has already become a problem, and frequently settlers have had to cart water to their stock from beyond their farms. The hazard of fire in the parched grasslands and tinder-like undergrowth in city and suburban centres increases as the succession of hot days continues and each day sees the Fire Evigade called to extinguish outbreaks. The lighting of fires left unguarded is fraught with particular danger at present and another possible source of trouble is hot clinker from gas-engine motor vehicles. The effects of a lack of rainfall, however, are often stressed to the exclusion of some of the benefits which a dry spell fits into Nature’s scheme of things. It is good weather for ripening onions and bananas. Th? season has been a good one for harvesting and shearing with a minimum of delay. To these and other advantages must be added the physical benefit which fine weather and blue skies and an outdoor life bring to hundreds w’ho have been penned up within office walls and behind counters for month after month during the year. Gains are made in the healtji of the people which is vital, particularly in wartime.