PASTURES RECOVER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20116, 9 December 1939, Page 8

PASTURES RECOVER

RAIN IN NOVEMBER LATE SOAKING FALLS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “The dry conditions which characterised October persisted into the .middle of November, when rains began to benefit the country, but not until the end of the month were soaking rains fairly general,” stated the Dominion Meteorologist in his notes on the weather on November. “The dryness and coolness in the earlier part of the month checked pasture growth, and cereal crops were in a serious way with some yellowing in the wheat; but after the spell of warm rains crops and pastures made an outstanding recovery. “In the south most of the wheat has responded satisfactorily and moderate yields are expected, while more especially in the north good hay crops are now assured. Further steady rain is needed to continue the spurt already made. Winds in the north were rather severe on orchards and gardens. Stock everywhere is reported to be in a healthy condition. / “The monthly totals were below average over most of the North Island and east, of the Southern Alps, less than half the normal falling in the centre of the North Island and in South Canterbury and North Otago. On the other hand, rainfall was in considerable excess in Nelson and in western Marlborough as well as over the Auckland and Coromandel Peninsulas, but only slightly in excess in Westland and parts of Northern Hawke’s Bay. Flooding at the end of the month was serious in the upper half of the South Island. “Although rather cool at the start, temperatures in most cases, as the result of the warm and humid weather later on, have averaged out one or two degrees above normal. However, some negligible departures below normal were recorded in the northern half of the Auckland Province. Up to the middle of the month light ground frosts occurred, those of November 12 and 13 doing some slight damage to gardens. “Generally,, sunshine figures were poor; the average was exceeded only in the far north and south. An average of over seven hours a day was recorded at Alexandra, Queenstown, Lincoln, and Auckland. “A few thunderstorms were reported; on November 9 in Westland, on November 20 in Southern Hawke’s Bay, and also at Wyndham, where a local storm was particularly severe.”