RAIN IN WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 8

RAIN IN WELLINGTON

Light Fall Last Evening SHOWER AT THE HUTT The latest fall of rain that has broken the long period of almost entire drought in Wellington occurred last night. Fairly slight though it was, the rain came at the end of a rough, cloudy day with a very strong northerly wind, and, with a change to southerlies predicted by the meteorological office, indications are now more promising than they were for several weeks previously that the end of the drought is near. Last evening’s fall was confined almost entirely to the city area, and up to a late hour last night Lower Hutt was the only area where rain fell past the outskirts of the city. There the fall occurred toward midnight. The rain in Wellington began to fall about 7.15 p.m., and it shortly afterward reduced to a drizzle, which continued during the night. DROUGHT CONDITIONS Rain Urgently Needed in Manawatu SERIOUS WATER SHORTAGE Palmerston North, January 18. The Manawatu River is lower at the present time than it has been for the past 21 years. The summer months have been marked by unusually fine weatherfor the Manawatu district, and the rainfall has been remarkably low. The Manawatu River is now running at six inches below its normal summer level. The low level of the river is especially noticeable in the Manawatu Gorge, where rock faces which are usually covered by water during the summer months are now visible. Beds of shingle have appeared in various parts of the river and logs and snags have been revealed in unexpected places. In many portions of the district settlers have been obliged to carry water for household purposes and the requirements of stock. The Manawatu County Council has been carting water from the Rangitikei River since Christmas for the use of settlers in the districts in that locality. About 5000 gallons daily is being delivered by a large motor-lorry. Those farmers who rely on tanks and roof water for their household supplies have found it necessary to restrict the use of water, which is rapidly becoming a valuable commodity. There is only a little over half an inch of water passing over the lip of the Palmerston North City Council’s reservoir at Tiritea. However, the reserve supplies are not drawn on until the water ceases to flow over the lip. Then the position will become serious, but it is hoped that rain will be experienced before then. One result of the continued spell of dry weather has been a considerable falling-off in the supplies of butterfat to dairy companies operating in the district. Fat stock has also felt the effect of the dry season. Pastures everywhere have assumed a brown appearance, but are not yet as parched as in the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts. A traveller stated to a “Dominion” reporter to-day that he could not recollect having seen the land in the Walrarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts so parched. Conditions in the Manawatu district were becoming serious at the end of last year, but the heavy rain which was experienced at the 'beginning of the present year came at an opportune time. Though conditions were relieved by a total fall of almost two inches, the weather has been hot since then and pastures and gardens are back to where they were prior to the rain. WIND FANS FIRES Young Pine Trees Destroyed With grass in many places still very dry, and with a strong northerly wind fanning the flames, several grass and gorse fires that broke out yesterday made heavy work for the fire brigadesmen. They were not able to follow the usual course of letting the fires burn'themselves out within safe limits, and the outbreaks had to be suppressed as quickly as possible. Fire destroyed a large area of young pine trees in a plantation on the town belt at Island Bay behind the Berhampore golf links. No water was available, and, with the brigadesmen having to beat out the flames in the wind, considerable time was necessarily taken to extinguish them. The fire broke out shortly after midday, and it was not properly under control until mid-after-noon. There were no houses near by. Gorse and broom off Robieson Road, Roseneath, caught fire at about 11 a.m. Although there were houses in the vicinity they were well protected by the brigadesmen. An alarm at 12.25 p.m. from Balena Bay was fairly easily coped with, as also was a similar gorse fire which occurred off Awarua Street, Ngaio, at 1.40 p.m.