WELCOME RAIN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 7

WELCOME RAIN

SATURDAY’S BENEFICIAL DOWNPOUR

PROSPECTS FOR FARMERS BRIGHTENED

Saturday’s heavy rainfall, whilst it interfered with the usual week-end summer sports and the bowling tourney was generally welcome. For the preceding month the weather had 1 been very fine and conspicuously warm. Everyone with either a garden dr a lawn (or both) Ims been complaining more or less of the usual dryness of the weather since Christmas, and where the soil is light the growth has shown a tendency to wi t. At the Trenthain racecourse the tracks were very hard and dry for training operations, and recourse had to be made to watering 'the course in order to soften the turf for the benefit of tender-footed horses. In some of the suburbs the residents had to have recourse to carrying water, owing to the tanks having run dry, bnt with Saturday's steady warm rain every tank was filiec, and the water supply for a weeic or two quite restored. In the country, too. the pastures have been roasted brown by an unusually long and hot spell of sunshine, and dairying districts especially, which got the rain, should be immensely benefited. . Last, but not by any means of least importance, the Wainui and other small streams which feed the municipal dams at Wainui-o-mata, received a refreshing reinforcement, which should serve to remove any anxiety for a few weeks to come at all events.

HEAVY FALL IN MANAWATU. From Our Own Correspondent.' Palmerston North, January 16. A decided, change for the better, at ' least so far as the farmers are concerned, took place in the Manawatu district on Friday night, when some fairly heavy showers fell, this being the first rain since December 27. Early on Saturday •morning 1 , however, a strong easterly wind set in and soon dried up any moisture that was left. The. morning was cold, but before noon heavy rain again fell and lasted for the greater part of the afternoon.

A GOD-SEND TO FARMERS

Bf Telerraah — Prose AMoclatioß. Christchurch, January 16

The heavy rain that fell over Canterbuy yesterday has completely changed the agricultural outlook, foremost crops were showing the effects of the long succession of dry nor’-westers and warm days. To the farmer the rain is in the nature of a God-send. Although the cutting and thrashing of oats is well under way, it is not too late for many of the late crops to receive the benefit. Bailey, wheat, and peas will also be stimulated, but probably the main effect will result in the case of potatoes. There has been a danger that the yield of honey would be low, but the Tain will com--pletely restore the position. SOUTH CANTERBURY BENEFITED. By Teleeraoh—Press Association. Timaru, January 16 Heavy rain fell throughout th? most of last night, and will very greatly benefit the country, os the land was parched by the heat of the drying winds. TARANAKI DRY SPELL BROKEN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Eltham, January 15. Rain set in last night, to the joy of dairy farmers. As the result of the continuous dry weather, the milk supply has been rapidly diminishing, and root crops have languished. The rain 1 has brightened the prospects.