THE WEATHER.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1367, 5 April 1881, Page 2

THE WEATHER.

A real, and what is entitled to class as a most effective change in the weather has, writes our Cambridge correspondent, taken place. It occurred the afternoon of Sunday, although palpable evidences of the change were apparent sometime previous. The morning of that day unlike those immediately preceeding, set in dull and heavy. The wind was high, at times boisterous, and the fine du«ty particles of which our streets are composed, were sent hither and thither in clouds, so dense and oppressive, that the j atmosphere was literally dimmed,and only I one or two slight skirmishing showers fell in the interim, so very slight, however, that they could be called nothing .more than mere threatenings to rain. After the dry parched weather we have .had for weeks, nay for months, I need hardly say the popular craving was in the direction of rain, and although during one or two of the most lucid intervals it looked as if that desire was again to be disappointed, about 3.30. p.m. raiucame on in right good earnest. In less than twenty minutes the streets and by-patha had been so thoroughly souced that the gulley-holes and water channels were transformed into miniature torrents, which by-and-bye collected into broad sheets of water, covering the more depressed ground to a considerable depth. The difficulty was now to get rid of the surface water. The few drains in requisition became choked, and in that case some of the adjoining tenements ran considerable ris>k of getting flooded. Parties so threatened had to become their own surfacemen and by dint of a certain amount of circumnavigation, managed to prevent the water encroaching upon their dwellings. To the Maoris, who are for the most part housed under canvas, the thing was, at times, very lively. In spreading •• ftys ' ' and improvising drains, they had to use the utmost vigilance, otherwise their frail dwellings would have been carried away bodily. As it was, they must have got pretty well soaked. The downpour having lasted an hour and a half, accompanied by thunder and a few vivid flashes of liurhtning, it gradually slackened, and before disappearing altogether, the sun broke forth brilliantly shedding a glow of warmth over the now dripping landscape. A more needful shower could not have occurred. As a fertiliser, it must work a power of good. I am not husbandman enough, however, to expatiate fully upon that point. With ita sanatory effects on the township I am more at home. The place was getting into a filthy state. We have had, as you are aware, a large floating population thrown upon our hands, and although I have not one word to say against the sanatory regulations observed by the visitant Maori, it is easy to understand that a deal of offscouring must have accumulated. A good sound sluicing, such as we had on Sunday was of the Ktmo3t importance in keeping down bad effects, consequent thereupon.