GOLDEN RAIN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 97, 18 January 1921, Page 8

GOLDEN RAIN

FALL IN SEVERAL PARTS WEALTH TO THE FARMERS TARANAKI JUBILANT From all parts of Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington districts reports are coming to hand, indicating the benefits accruing from the heavy rain which fell at the week-end. The break in the long spell of dry weather in Taranaki occurred on Friday night, and early on Saturday a heavy downpour set in. Early on Monday morning further useful rain fell. It is stated that the rain represents hundreds of thousands of pounds to theproducers of Taranaki, and it has come at a time when it has saved thei turnip CI In the New Plymouth district the change was comparatively brief, for the weather cleared on Saturday afternoon and it was fine on Sunday, but the rain was sufficiently heavy to do a, great amount of good, and it spells wea’.th for the district. Speaking to a “Daily News reporter a gentleman connected with the agricultural industry said one of the most important benefits of the rain v.’as that it would revive the milk supply, which had been falling off, and if the dry weather had continued the position would have become bad. The rain was also very timely for tho crops, such as turnips, white it will start the hay paddocks with fresh green grass. Most of the hay is in, and as most of it h»« been cut since Christmas this is the first rain to help the new grass. A large number of settlers depending on lamte were very short of tvater, and here again the rain has brought relief, while in drenching the bush fires it has removed another anxiety from the farmer s burden. Though comparatively brief, the Tain has given a. good soaking to the country, while the town gardens have been thoroughly refreshed. ON THE MANAIA PLAINS. It is several weeks since Taranaki experienced a good rain, but after threatening to lain two or three times the downpour has fortunately come at las , and at time of writing a heavy fall has continued for some hours, with every prospect of more (reports the Hawera “Star”). The barometer was very low and still falling quickly' at S o’clock yesterday morning, in spite of the southerly breeze. The rain has come just m timq to save considerable loss, as pastures and crops were showing the effects of the dry weather, while the town s water supplv was in need of replenishment. The "rain should mean much to farmers, and an increase in the supplies should soon follow with the renewed growth of grass which the rain will cause. Stratford reports that on Friday night rain commenced to fall in earnest, and it continued throughout the night and on Saturday. Farmers welcomed: the rain for the sake of their stock and root crops, which were badly in need of moisture, while the grass lands weie beginning to show a brown tinge and withered appearance. The milk supply mav be expected to revive slightly as the result of the rain, which at any rate will assist to keep up the factory returns longer than the previous prospects promised. The necess.ty for rain was more obvious "down the' l’ ne ” than in the immediate Stratford district, the verdant pastures whereof, compared to other parts, were most noticeable to visitors. Gardeners are special./ delighted with the improved prospects of their "cabbage patch.” MANAWATU’S SHARE. After a protracted dry spell, lasting since December 28, welcome rain set in at Palmerston North shortly after noon on Saturday. Several slight showers fell during Friday night, but the hot, dry wind on Saturday morning nullified any good effect that might otherwise have been given to crops. The rain will be gladly welcomed by all sections of the Community—pastures have been burned brown, and gardens are plainly showing the need of drenching showers. Heavy rain commenced falling along the Manawatu line early on Saturday morning, and will prove of inestimable benefit to crops. The milk returns should also show an increase next week. , .

Welcome rain is also reported from Wanganui and Napier

FALL WELCOME IN WAIRARAPA Saturday proved a very wet day in contrast to tho hot, dry weather experienced in the Wairarapa lately, and proved very welcome to the dairy farmera. Most of the cops (hay and oats) have been cut and stacked, or pressed. On Sunday it rained, and became quite cold.