BOOM IN PRODUCTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20052, 26 September 1939, Page 3

BOOM IN PRODUCTION

SPRING PASTURE FLUSH WATER SHORTAGE RELIEF I IF, ST R ATX FOR A YEAR Following the rain of the past few days, a .boom in production is expected to take place throughout the Gisborne and East Coast districts. Up to the end of last week, pasture growth had been backward in most parts of the district, particularly on the hill country, while a water shortage nvas beginning to become acute in the country districts. Wells were as low as in the summer, and a few. even, were dry.

Dairy production had been adversely affected, and was little better than during the past season, when factories in the district experienced a dr on of 30 per cent in the output.

Rain was urgently required, because the ground had not had a good soaking for more than 12 months. The rainfall for almost 13 months, from September 1. 1938. to September 23, 1939, was less than 20in., compared with an average of about 44in. for 12 months.

Wettest Period in 13 Months

The heavy rain in Gisborne during the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day came to 1.35 in., bringing the total since the rain started on Saturday night up to 3.25 in.

These figures were taken from the Gisborne aerodrome records, while the readings at the harbour signal station show a total of 3.43 in. for the three days. The aerodrome’s aggregate for the month to date is 4.11 in., a figuie that has not 'been equalled in any month since August, 1938.

The temperature maintained a remarkable degree of uniformity yesterday and the thermeograph record was practically a straight line. The maximum temperature under cover was 56 degrees, and the temperature on the grass did not fall below 50.2 degrees. Threat of Flooding When rain set in on Saturday general relief was expressed by farmers and gardeners alike, reports the Herald's Muriwai representative. Pastures were beginning to show the effects of the long spell of dry weather, while gardeners were busy watering vegetable plots, in which ■irent interest is being taken this season.

In many homes tanks were getting

The consistent rain of the past three days occasioned some concern. Lowlving areas of the Pakowhai and Muriwai Beach flats are under water. Some doubt was expressed last evening as to whether the low-level temnor.v bridge at Mr. Murphy’s, 17 miles from Gisborne, replacing the structure destroyed in the flood of February. 1937, 'would remain negotiable, as' the river which the road crosses was still rising. Very muddy conditions prevailed everywhere.

Work on the road at Pakowhai was ‘emporariiy suspended. The elimination of the numerous bends and corners in the main road to provide a good alignment had been progressing rapidly recently. The various portions of’ the road works are welt signposted, but on one section where one-way traffic oniy is permitted cate is necessary.

The Herald’s Motu representative reports that the Motu River and all creeks in the district are in high Hood as a result of continuous rain, which commenced on Saturday evening and showed no signs of abating this .morning. 10IN. SINCE SATURDAY RIVERS lirOll IN AVAIAPU (Spucml to tlir TTovnUl.) TIKITIKI, this day. Nearly lOin. of rain has fallen at Tikitiki since it commenced on Saturday night,, and the rivers this morning were running bank high, but fortunately the rain has eased off now. For the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day the rainfall totalled sin„ while the week-end 4a!lly to yesterday morning was 4.87 in. Some damage was caused at Rangitukia, where development sections were washed away by erosion bf the Poroporo River.

At East Cape the rainfall for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day was 1.18 in„ or a total of 2.25 in. for the 48 hours.