A WET MONTH

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1929, Page 2

A WET MONTH

SUM MA RY O F DECEMI) HR WELLINGTON, Jail. 7. Dr Kidson’s meteorological report on the wenlher for last month is as follows: ‘•December was a very wet month over much the greater part oi the Dominion. About double the normal rainfall was recorded on the average over the North Island ami in Canterbury, Nelson, and Marlborough. In many places it was Lbe wettest December for many years, and in some the wettest on record. Westland, parts of Central and Northern Otago, and Southland proved exceptions to the rule, having rainfalls below the average.

“There was again a .marked absence of westerly winds, while southerlies were rather unusually prevalent. The low rainfalls in YVest.land and Otago were associated with a lack ol westerly winds. Gales were lew and the winds generally light, though southerly winds caused cool temperatures in parts of the eastern districts. Conditions were on the whole mild and humid. Few places experienced any severe cold snaps. 'I iie month resembled its predecessor in the frequency of thunderstorms. “Owing to tile abundance of rainfall the growth of vegetation lias been very heavy. Conditions generally were very favourable lor the agricultural community and stock are in good shape. The humid atmosphere and the absence of sunshine have interfered with shearing and haymaking in many districts, but especially in Canterbury, where also the wheat harvest lias suffered considerably. Again, some damage has been done by the rain to the early stone fruit. “So far there arc few reports of blight in potatoes, or other fungoid diseases. The dairying industry is having a particularly goixl season, although in sonic parts the growth of grass lias been so luxuriant that stock have been unable to keen it down. “The tendency for depressions to bo of a cyclonic form, which characterised the whole year, was no less evident in December. On three occasions cyclones developed in the northern portions of depressions as they were crossing the Dominion.”