DRY COLD APRIL

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21417, 10 May 1941, Page 8

DRY COLD APRIL

LIGHT RAINFALL IN NORTH FROSTS FAIRLY NUMEROUS April was fairly dry and cold, with frequent southerly winds, states a report by the Dominion Meteorologist. The cooler temperatures now prevailing have checked most garden growth. The chief dairying districts report ample feed with pastures still growing slightly, but production is dwindling. Supplementary fodder supplies for the winter are mainly satisfactory, but in some cases turnip and rape crops have not recovered from the effects of moth and insect earlier in the year. Seasonal cultivation and the autumn wheat sowings have suffered few interruptions. Rainfall totals were below normal over most of the country, the distribution being somewhat erratic on account of the showery nature of the precipitation. Falls were very light in Auckland, northern Taranaki, and the Manawatu, as well as in Nelson, Marlborough and North Canterbury. Excesses in £outh On the other hand, moderate excesses occurred in South Canterbury and from Dunedin southwards. Average values were attained in a small district near Taihape and also in a few exposed stations on the eastern coast of Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Provinces. In contrast with recent months, mean temperautres were everywhere colder than normal, and while departures were only about one degree in some eastern districts they frequently increased to 3 or 4 degrees towards the west. Frosts were fairly numerous, but were not unusually excessive. Except in the far south, the duration of bright sunshine equalled or exceeded average values, Nelson and Blenheim having substantial surpluses.