A NIGHT’S RAIN

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 6

A NIGHT’S RAIN

FIRST THIS YEAR The common expectation as to relief from the drought that has lasted from about the beginning of the year was that it would come with a. thunder storm. No so. It crept upon Otago gently yesterday afternoon, remindful of tho “ still small voice ” that brought to Elijah the power that ho looked for in the preceding wind, earthquake, and fire- ,ii Early in the altcrnoon the overhead portents were for a continuation of sultriness. The clouds were simply murky, no clumps of vapor making them a picture. By all appearances wo were in for more heat. Then, quite surprisingly, a few drops fell like sweat at about 4 p.m.. and when, a quarter of an hour later, real rain began, people ran out of their houses for the sheer delight of getting wet. Presently they ran in again, for the shower lasted, and, after two or three short intervals, in which there were signs of clearing, the change developed into a benediction. At no time was tbe rain heavy, nor was it accompanied by any wind or lowering of the temperature, but a warm and vertical descent lasted right through the night until 7 o’clock this morning. The exact measurement at tho Opoho observatory, as reported by Mr Tannock, was 1.31. or nearly an inch and a-ihird. An inch of rain means 100 tons of water per acre —tho best refreshing that tho fields or gardens have had this year. Tho effect is to replenish our water supply, relieve the anxiety at Waipori (for Lake Mahineraiigi dam level fell 18in in the two days to Thursday), revive tho turnip crops, and generally te make our people _ feel more comfortable, for tho air this morning iiad a washed and purified feel about it. and men could work with their vests on.

One day this week the consumption of water in Dunedin and suburbs amounted to six and a-half million

gallons, nr over eighty gallons per head. With the cooler weather now hoped for there will be a return to the normal consumption of about seventyfive gallons per head. THE CENTRAL PARTICIPATES

Our Cromwell correspondent telegraphed this morning;—“For a few days rain has threatened, but it was late last evening before light showers fell. During the night tbc fall set in steadily, and it continued for several hours. At‘daylight the rain ceased on the flat, but heavy showers wore still falling on tho hills at 10 a.m. It is the best fall experienced for some time. Tho conditions are still dull and threatening ” QUEENSTOWN RELIEVED A good rainfall blessed Queenstown last night. Below Kingston, round about Garston, there was a fair rainfall yesterday morning STRATH-TAIERI WATERED From Middlemarch comes woiri that the rain was also experienced at btrath Taicri, a ■ district that needed it very much, SOUTHLAND HAD IT FIRST At Invercargill the rain began at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and in the western district a little earlier. Passengers by the through express this morning say that every district on the line participated in the blessing. WATER OF LEITH SWOLLEN By the look of tho Leith this morning one would have thought that a waterspout had burst over the watershed. The stream was much swollen, but of course it quickly dwindled. Mr S. 6, Macfarlane, M.A.. will preach at, the United Congregational Church tomorrow' morning. Tho evening service will ho conducted by Mr A. E. Stevens. Tho Sunday school will he reopened at 2.30. Mr Peters, of Urn Smith Sea Evangelical Mission, will conduct the service in York Place Hail to-morrow evening.

The United Starr-Bowkclt Building Socielv will dispose of £7,800 by sale and ballot during February and March. Shares arc still available in No. 10 group. Tlie Palais Ue Danse will hold a dance in the Embassy Salon to-night. Port Chalmers.—l. Watson's summer clearing sale general drapery, furnishings, clothing, boots, and shoes now proceeding.— [Aclvt.l The Wembley Club is arranging a “ Good Luck ” dance in the Early Settlers’ and Pioneers’ Halls for to-night. Tho patron estimating nearest to the correct number of dancers present will rcccvie £B. In addition, a number of “ Lucky Spot ” dances will be hold, for which forty prizes, comprising cigarettes and chocolates, will bo given. Arthur Gordon’s Dance Band and Will Smith’s Kapai Orchestra will play. Tho annual picnic which is held by the Otago Drivers’ Union will take place at Evansdalo this year on Saturday, February 18. Further particulars are advertised elsewhere in (his issue

‘A. Lamentable Death: Will It Be Yours?’ is Evangelist Forbes Maclcnd’s sub; ject to-morrow, at 8 p.m. (after other services), in the Gospel Tent, King street. Rev. P. L. A. Cramplon, 8.A.. will preach at Iho Roslyn Baptist Church tomorrow at both services. The subject for the evening service will lie ‘ A Fourfold View of Calvary.’

The Dunedin grocers will hold their annual picnic at Waikouaiti on Saturday next, when a special programme of sports will bo gone through. The children will be specially catered for, and there will also be special prizes.

A notice to the musical public appears in this issue, announcing opening rehearsal for this year of the Civic Choir on Wednesday next, at 9.45 p.m., in The Bristol Concert Chamber. Wagner's ‘Tannhauscr' will be. put info rehearsal. This work offers splendid scope [or a large choir, and will prove interesting and enjoyable. The male voice, section requires strengthening for this work, and new members for all parts will be welcomed.

The Bruce Chdha early aet(lei>. who bold their picnics alternatively ai Milton and Baldniha, extend an invitation to all old settlers and descendants for the picnic at Balclntha on Tuesday, the 21st inst. The hospitality and entertainment provided n(. these picnics arc well known. Though as the years go hy the pioneers become less there are still enough survivors to make a goodly parade, and the pleasure of each reunion is accentuated as if another milestone had been reached.

The Rev. Tnlloch Yuille will preach tomorrow morning in Knox - continuing a series of addresses on ’Life's Difficulties’ with the subject 'Why Do We .Suffer?’ The evening service will be of particular interest to youth workers, and (he subject of (ho address will be, ‘The Broadminded Church.'

Williamson's the quality jewellers, for diamond rings. Thirty years’ practical experience is at your service. Next Bristol Piano Co.—[Advt.]

The round of race week entertainments at (ho Savoy will be completed to-night, when the first supper dance of the season will be held. Alf. Carey and his band will play the musical programme, which will include numbers before in Dunedin. The leader is assisted hy five clever instrumentalists, the other “star’’ being Art. Ceilings, a baujoist. The. Dunedin Burns Chib will hold its monthly meeting in the Early Settlers' Hall on Wednesday next.