A WET JANUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 263, 27 January 1941, Page 5

A WET JANUARY

HEAVY FALLS OF RAIN

SLIGHT DAMAGE TO ROADS

Splendid fine weather marked the holiday season this year in the WhaTsatane district and remained fine until January 10th when the dry spell beg{% to cause some concern amongst farmers and commercial and amateur gardeners. However, a welcome fall came, and by January 13 the position was relieved in that "3.15 inches had been recorded and pastures refreshed and water supplies replenished.

Since that date few fine days have been experienced and the concern as now that the- fall is more than •required .for the bestr interests of production. Oil the 22nd the total for the same month of 1940 had been passed and with the heavy and •steady downpour of Friday and Saturday the total has been increased to a proportion rarely equalled in January. Over the week-tend 2.6 inches fell to bring the total for the month which is within half highest figure recorded for January since 1925 ac-i cording to the observer, Mr H. Muscutt. Two Roads Blocked! The steady rain of the past week "caused, until Sunday, only minor -damage to roads, small slips partially blocking roads and surfaces becoming very rough owing to nietaT •being washed off. However, the steady rain of the week-end was responsible for more serious damage, • and on Sunday the Taneatua road( was closed to traffic, a slip block* ing all traffic which had to divert through White Pine Bush. The P.W.D. gang was immediately on the job and traffic able to get through by 2 p.m. Ross road in the county was also •completely blocked and men spent Sunday in clearing the thoroughfare, and the road can be used by traffic to-day, Sport Interrupted. Summer sporting activities have 'been at a standstill, week-end fixtures having been postponed and •actually no play of any consequence having been enjoyed since the scheduled resumption following the holi- ■ days.