FARMERS SATISFIED

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 September 1937, Page 8

FARMERS SATISFIED

* HAWKE’S BAY RAINFALL. HASTINGS, Tuesday. Further heavy rain fell in the Northern Hawke’s Bay area hast night and early this morning. All rivers and creeks were considerably swollen this morning, but there is no danger of flooding. The three principal rivers, the Tutaekuri, the Ngaruroro and the Tukituki, all rose appreciably during the night, but by mid-dav to-day, with the ceasing of the rain, the waters were steadily falling. There was some overflowing of the Ngaruroro in the vicinity of Pakowhai bridge, but it was not serious. Although the rains were welcomed l)y farmers it is felt that sufficient has now fallen and the return of finer conditions would be equally welcome. Heavy rains caused some losses of lambs at Kereru, Arapawanui and Maraekakaho, where the falls were heaviest, but on the whole losses of lambs were very little above the average. Some of the losses, of course, were due to the poor conditions of the mothers, and for this the feed shortage following the long dry spell was responsible. Fortunately twin lambs are not so numerous as in past seasons, and because of the condition of the ewes the weaker lamb has been killed in order that the stronger might be reared. Farmers agree that although the wet weather has accounted for certain losses the toll would have been much greater without it, as many lambs would have been poorly grown and much below the standard for which Hawke’s Bay lambs are noted. Although it rained consistently in Hastings the fall has not been particularly heavy, especially when compared with the rain in the back districts, in several parts of which as much as 20 inches has fallen since the rain started about two weeks ago. The heavy backcountry rain has affected roads in those areas, most of which are in need of repair. It is reported that the Maraetotara Road is blocked with several minor slips, but it is expected that the road will be cleared to-day.—(P.A.)