WELCOME RAINS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 43, 13 November 1937, Page 4

WELCOME RAINS

— Presu Asscciation.)

Parched Auckland Province Benefits

FALLING PRODUCTION

(By Teleuraph

AUCKLAND, LASt Night. The hopes of the farming community for pe'netfating rain to meet the needs of the parched pafettlfes wero to SOini extent reaiised to-day, when shoWefs weta experienceed in many parts of the Auckland province. Although the fq.ll varied considerably in intensity, it hau served to stem the fears of the producers for an unseasonal drought, and if the Tain continues to-morrow, it should do much to r-ostore conditions to normal. Driving, intermittent rain aebOBipanied by a fresh to Strong east-nortlneast-erly breeze, was experienced in Whangarei, and that rain will mean a savirtg of thousalids of poUnds to the pri.mafy prOdtteers of the district. Feed has been so short in some locaiities that the farmers have been obliged to turn their stock into the hay paddocks, And miik production has shown signs of falling off. Some fanners were running shOft of water for hdusehold pUrposfeS. The dowrtpour is necessafy to benefit the land in the Dargaville area, where light showers have fallen since Thnrsday night. With nothing more than a drizzle experienced at Hamilton the change in Conditions has so far brought no appreciable relief in thb Waikato. Itt fiddition to the threat of declining production, a SefiOUs position has afi^en In regard to harvesting, |As the dry. weather has greatly affected the yield of grass available for hay and ensilage. There is no body in thb grASs, Which is Tapidly going to seed, And there are indications thAt the crops of supplementary fodder Will be exceptionally light. In the Pukekohe district, the long dry spell has had a fetArdittg iafltlence on the green-leaf crops, while it was estimated to-day that the expected yields of onionS And potatoes had been reduced by between 10 and 30 per cent. However, COhtinued rain will prove of considerable bettefit.