Welcome Rain

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 188, 26 August 1937, Page 4

Welcome Rain

FARMERS PLEASF.D Fall General Throughout Northern H.B. BENEFIT T0 STOCK General satisfaction was felt in the country districts this morning as the result of the break in the weather. Widespread rain set in last night and, at a late hour this morning, was still falling, with no indications of an immediate cessar tion. The fall is welcomed on ail x sides, for the winter has been one of the driest in the history of this province, and growth has been retarded to such an extent that stock have gone back in condition and farmers have been gravely concerned. Reports from all districts surrounding Hastings and Napier indicate_ that the rain is general throughout this portion of the province. In some parts, particularly on the eastern side of Hastings, comprising the watershed of the Tukituki river, tlie rain has been very lieavy— for example, IMr P. H. Parker, of Maraetotara, reported that, since the rain set in early yesterday, there had been 3.47 inclies of rain. Maraetotara, however, is probably the one area in the province that did not welcome the rain to the same extent as did other parts, ^ for there has been more rain tliere than elsewhere this ycar. In keeping with the Maraetotara figure is the fall of 2.20 inclies recorded at Waipoapoa Station. On thp north-west and western side of Hastings, it is interesting to note tliat, though the Tutaekuri river at 10 o'clock was only * slightly discoloured, and showing just a slight rise of a few inclies, tlie Ngaruroro river, at Fernhill, was lieavily charged withi silt. It had risen 3ft. 6ins, and there was every indication of a further rise throughout tlie day. Heavy rain has been falling ai Whanawhana, Mr F. N. H. Beamish reporting tliat rain fell throughout yesterday, all through the night, and was continuing to do so this morning without any sign of easement. "It looks as if we are going to get a real good rain at last," he said when questioned. He said that since the rain commenced yesterday tliere had been just over three inclies recorded. "A Lot of Good." As indicating tlie widespread nature of the break in the weather, the report from Mr F. Hildreth, of Mangawhare, is interesting. "Rain set in early yesterday morning and it has been raining lieavily ever since," he said. "It is really splendid rain and will do a lot of good up this way." No recorda of the falls are kept in this district. Another area near the baclc-country that has experienced heavy rain is that of Flag Range, Tunanui, Mr John Russell reporting that up to nine o'clock this morning there .was 1.18 inclies of rain. The majority of the other districts and more in keeping with Hastings the falls . being under 100 points, but since the readings were taken the rain has set in more heaviJy. The following are the rainfalls recordfed in the various localities: — Inclies Undercliff ............ .06 Omarunui 95 Mokopeka ...» .SS Crissoge .61 Puketapu 93 Waipoapoa ■ L . . 2.20 Maraekakaho 52 Apley 1.50 Hastings .51 Whanawhana 3.01 Flag Range 1.18 Maraetotara ....... •. 3.47

One section of the farming community who are particularly jubilant that at last the dry spell has really broken comprises those who have breeding ewes. The" position as regards lamliing was becoming acute owing to the ecarcity of green food. Grave lears were entertained that the ewes would not be able to seeure sufficient green food for the production of milk for their young lambs, and that the latter would receive a severe setbaek. However, these feelings of misgivings have been allayed. Urgentay Required. "It's beautiful rain" was how one farmer exprosped his relief at* the change in the weather. Another declared, "it is just what we wanted." Many agreod that There would be no compiaints from them if the raiu kept on for another two days, and they were in agreemcut with the opinion voiecd by oue back-couutry farmer that a "tliorough soaking was urgently required." The soil in Hawlio's Bay is well known for its ability to make a rapid recovery after a drouglit period, ami it is generally anticipated that the present raiu will have a wonderful effect upon the eounlryside, and be of the greatest henelit. "It will give the spring growth a great impetus and give us a chance to feed deeently our stock and freshen up our lands, " said one authority. IJe ivas of the opiuion that all sectious of the farming community would greatly benefit frdm the rain, oven should it cease to-day, but should the rain continue, as there was every indication of it doing so, for another 24 hours then Hawke's Bay would start off the spring in a most promising and hopeful manner. Townspeople Jubilant. As regards the townspeople. the change in the weather was also welcomed, for It was appreciated that there wais a dife need for a good refreshing rain. Those who were enthusiast amateur horticulturists and who tend their vegetable "gardens, were just as keen and exeited about the rain aa the lcfiuafcry people^ ion Ihe jjtfiuad, was

drier at this time of the year than has been known for very many years. There was very slow growth in the gardens, and spring flowers were not as well advaneed as they should be for August. The rain will be especially welconie to the Superintendent of Reserves, Mr J. G. C. Mackenzie, who has extensive planting, which inelude many trees and shrubs, to be made in the various borough reserves, but he has not been able to carry out this .work o.wing to the dry grpufid, "