THE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 7

THE WEATHER.

COLD AND SHOWERY

Showery conditions again obtained in Christchurch all day yesterday. A most unpleasant south-westerly wind prevailed during tho greater part of the _day, ( and though there were occasional indi- ( nations of a br»-ak in the weather, th> desired change did not take placc. Our Wnimato correspondent tele- < graphs that the rain lins now ceased. Nearly two inches fell, and it has dona very Tittle damage to the wheat crops. ■ During the recent storm, snow fell on the hills the Ashburton County and in tho back country. Up to 0 a.m. yesterday 3.37 inches of rain had been registered at the Ashburton Domain weather station. The weather showed 6igns of clearing yesterday morning, but frequent showers were experienced during tho afternoon. Splendid rain sot in at Greondalo on Monday, and continued throughout the night and all day Tuesday. Coming after tho heavy nor'-west- winds of the previous week, which drio.l off the feed, the rain is specially welcome. The fall i 9 the heaviest experienced since tho rains of last winter, and will be of immense benefit to rape and turnip crops as well as pastures. A number of the oat crops are now reaped, and a lew stacks are to be seen, but the wheat harvest will not be commonccd for a week or so yet. Tho hot, dry nor'westers of last week made some of the crops chango colour, but the heavy rain will no doubt help thenj to hold out a bit longer before being lit to reap. On Saturday a very strong and hot nor'-wester blew all day at Rakaia, and crops that were nearly ripe must have suffered some loss of grain. Tho succeeding day was ealm but intensely hot. On Monday rain began to fall at about 9 a.m. It gradually became heavier and fell without intermission. Tho downpour was extremely heavy on Tuesday, and up to 4 p.m. on that day 230 points were recorded. A further IS • points fell before 9 a.m. yesterday, when the weather was dull and threatening. Tho Rakaia river is high in flood. Tho conditions at Akaroa at noon yesterday were gloomy and unsettled. Heavy rain fell in tho morning, and there was every, prospect of more coming. Grass soeding operations are completely suspended. Tho heaviest rainfall that has been experienced at .Mothven for several years has just been recorded. Between midday on Monday and 9 a.m. yestorday 350 points wero recorded. Rain fell practically continuously all that time. I'he ground has got a good soaking, but iittlo if any damago will be done to the crops if tho weather clears up now. Very littlo crop has yet been cut in tho district. The heavy rain which set in throughout the Ellesmerc district on Monday night continued all day on Tuesday and up to the early hours of yesterday morning. The sky was heavily overcast all day yesterday, and there wore further light showers in tho afternoon. The ground has had a thorough soaking this time. The rain and accompanying wind have had the effect of causing . many of the heavy wheat crops to go down, and in addition to the risk of damage if the weather is not favourable during the next few weeks the reaping will bo a difficult job. Some of tho crops may rise again. Those farmers who have barley roaped were hoping that the fine weather would continue for a fortnight or three weeks, but without the strong north-west wind, which last week damaged many of tho barley crops to a considerable extent. An Irwell farmer estimates his loss at many bushels per acre. . With barley it is not so much the shaking that causes loss of grain as tho rubbing of the heads together. The rain is bound to slightly discolour somo of tho barley. In consequence of the strong wind, binders were at work on Sunday in several parts of the district. '.In a paddock ziear Loeston three machines wero working. Most farmers have at least one' paddock of oats or barley either cut or just about ready, but very little wheat will be reaped for a week yfet. Dairy farmers and graziers are very much pleased with the rain, for the grass had gong off to a marked extent during tho JMt week or ten days. In parts of the Ininsandel district feed is very scarce, and some of tho farmers, are experiencing difficulty in getting their lambs fattM* prospects of there being. feed in the autumn seem to be fairly bright so far. Potatoes and mangels will benefit a great deal hy the rain. Tho former snow excellent pronuse. v ' we ather at Kaiapoi yesterday was Tory unreasonable, rain falling fredu.nnS tho day. Harvesting oiwrefaons u, tie district have received a severe check. FLOODS IN THE SOUTH. SORRY PLIGHT OF STIRLING. (press association telegram.) -TT. WELLINGTON, January 29. + i f P Position at Balclutha regarding j the flood is now reassuring. Tho river J*® f alle s two feet, and the crisis is ronsidered past. Temporary repairs to I the bank proved effective, and no leans are now noticeable. pxer e was an anxious period in the afternoon, when an opening in the em- : oankment widened, but was successfully blocked with sandbags. Stirling is still in a sorry plight. The flood water is high, and all the houses on the low level are inundated. No stock losses are reported. The railway lino near Lovell's Flat is covered by tour feet of water, and it is improbable that trains will get through before Saturday. No trains ran on the Outram lino to-day. tho rails being 26 inchest under water between Riverside and Gladfield: The postmaster at Kaitangata telegraphed at 9 a.m. that indications pointed to the highest flood on record. In the afternoon he reported that the water was 18 inches higher than in the 1917 flood, and was still rising. Several houses were flooded. Two bridges and part of a third have been carried away at Oturehua, Central ■!