RAIN CONTINUES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20785, 21 April 1939, Page 8

RAIN CONTINUES

STEADY HAMILTON FALL NEARLY HALF-AN-INCH RECORDED BENEFIT TO PASTURES Steady rain which continued to fall in Hamilton yesterday and last evening resulted in a recording of .44in, for the 24 hours ended 9 o’clock this morning. An indication of the dry conditions of gardens was given by the manner in which the rain penetrated, there being little or no water lying in pools on broken land. The beneficial effect of the rain was increased by the warm temperatures which accompanied the fall and the absence of drying winds. Farmers in the Waikato are particularly gratified at the continuation of the rain, as besides giving life to badly burnt out pastures it has replenished domestic water supplies, which in some cases, \vere exhausted weeks ago. Further rain fell again in Cambridge last night and this morning and .41 inches was registered for the 24 hours up to 9 o’clock this morning. ALMOST IMPASSABLE HAMILTON-RAGLAN ROAD FURTHER RAIN AFFECTS SURFACE Further rain last evening and this morning have left portions of the Hamilton-Raglan main road, which were impassable without assistance, yesterday, in a very bad condition. The passenger bus both on the trip to and from Raglan this morning was able to make the journey only with the assistance of a road-grader. An officer of the Automobile Association who travelled over the route to-day states that cars would be unable to pass through the bad portion near Te Uku or at the top of the deviation under their own power. In the event „of further rajn the road will be impassable and even in its present condition motorists would be ' unwise to attempt it unless very experienced drivers. MAIN ROAD FLOODED SERIOUS SLIPS REPORTED (By Telegraph—press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday The main road to Ohura is flooded several inches as a result of the blocking of the Tewera swamp in the WhaDgamomona district. Several small slips have occurred, while more serious falls of earth have come down in the Tangarakau Gorge, which tonight was completely blocked. The Public Works Department, however, expects to have all obstructions cleared in a short time. KING COUNTRY DRENCHED (By Telegraph.—Press Associate) TE KUITI, Thursday For the period ending at 9 a.m. today .7tin. of rain was recorded, and another half-inch fell during the day. The Wairere Power Board, which restricted the hours of operation of the generator owing to the paucity of the flow over the Wairere Falls on the Mokau River, is resuming full-time operation as the river level rises. LITTLE GISBORNE RAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) GISBORNE, Thursday Except for outlying areas, Poverty Bay did not share in the benefits o*f the widespread rain which fell in most parts of the North Island yesterday and to-day. IN CANTERBURY (Bv Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday Light rain last night and to-day brought relief throughout Canterbury. Although it has come too late to improve the winter feed situation, the rain has been generally beneficial. TAUPO TANKS REFILLED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) TAUPO, Thursday A most welcome Rail of rain was experienced to-day. This is the first fall since the end of Jauuary, and practically all water tanks had. been empty for weeks. 4 The lake was. ,2ft. below what is considered its normal level and within 6in. of the lowest level recorded in 20 years. WINTER FEED ASSURED RAINFALL AT TE AROHA (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) TE AROHA, Friday After the longest spell of dry weather for sixteen years light rain fell early this morning. Although only one-Lhird of an inch is yet registered the breaking of the drought is appreciated by the farmers as winter feed is now assured. FALL AT WHANGAREI (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WHANGAREI, Friday The long-awaited rain began to Vail yesterday afternoon and continues lightly, .69 being registered up to 9 this morning. The temperature is warm. FARMERS DISAPPOINTED POSITION IN MARLBOROUGH (By Telegraph.— Association) BLENHEIM. Friday Marlborough is still awaiting ’the break of the drought, the rains enjoyed by other districts in the past

few days having failed to reach here in sufficient quantity to alleviate the situation, which is of some gravity, particularly to the pastoral industry. Farmers are bitterly disappointed by the fact that the fall for the past two days mounted to only eight points. This brings the total fall since December 8. a period of 19 weeks, to only iiS points. The town water supply is still ample but a shortage of pasturable is now certain during the winter.