WELCOME RAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 8

WELCOME RAIN

BENEFIT TO FARMERS END OF LONG DRV IPEU WAIKATO AREAS RELIEVED While the light but persistent shower? that began to fall throughout the Waikato yesterday and reached their greatest intensity early this morning will make practically no difference dairy production, they nevertheless came as a welcome relief to the farming community. Pastures that have been autumn-topdressed should shortly show the benefit of the rain and, while there Is normally little growth at this time of the year, the rainfall will be refreshing to other pastures and root crops.

Although the rain was not very heavy, it was sufficient to replenish domestic water supplies to a satisfactory extent on many farms. The fall should also help to improve the general tone of the stock market and an Immediate effect should be the sharpening of the demand for store cattle, which have been particularly dull of sale during the last fortnight. For the 24 hours ended 9 o ,( Clock this morning .23in of rain wa6 recorded in Hamilton, this being the most substantial fall since March 1213 when, over 48 hours, .50in. was recorded. The rain has been accompanied by a noticeable rise in the temperature, particularly at night. In Other Centres Scattered rain fell at Auckland yesterday, but as the result of a drying northerly wind most of the benefit was lost. In Wellington the most substantial rainfall for over a month was experienced yesterday, when .34in. was recorded. Since March 10 when .75in. of rain fell, there have been only six small falls, totalling ,19in. Reports from New Plymouth indicate that Taranaki benefited yesterday from the heaviest fall for many weeks. Steady rain throughout tbe day brought much-needed relief to pastures. Conditions at Oambrldg# Rain which fell at intervals yesterday started again at midnight. For | the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day the gauge showed .22in. Ts Aroha Peat Flrss The fall at Te Aroha during last night was not very heavy but it was sufficient to quell, to some extent, the peat fires that were sweeping across the Awaiti swamp earlier this I week. The fires, which are about nino miles from Te Aroha, have had a front of over a mile and a-half and over the past few days some concern has been expressed by farmers at its encroachment on to farm lands. The fires have subsided to a great extent this morning but heavier rain is required to allay the fears of farmers in the area. HILL WORK RETARDED The rain has had the effect of curtailing the work of excavating Garden Place Hill and last evening the full shift was not worked. This morning the work was continued but at a j much-reduced rate, j The streets through which the i trucks carting spoil from Garden Place [ are traversing were very slippery fol- | lowing the light showers yesterday afternoon and, in the afternoon particlarly, cyclists had to be careful in * the main street. However, several came to grief. The streets to-day are not so dangerous.

MORRINSVILLE CONDITIONS

LIGHT RAIN EXPERIENCED (Special to Times) MORRINSVILLE, Wednesday Morrinsville shared in the light rain which was general in the Waikato this afternoon and hopes for a 6atsfactcry fall are high. While to-day’s rain did little more than lay the dust it appears to be The turning point from the prolonged dry spell.