WELCOME RAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1932, Page 5

WELCOME RAIN

STEADY FALL IN CANTERBURY.

IBy Telegraph —ter tress Association >

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 19

Christchurch has to-day had its first really, wet day since October 24th. last.

Light rain began, to fall this morningf - 'continued almost ceaselessly all day, and to-night steady rain is fitill falling. The total precipitation in church ha* boeu about Half- an . inch, Tlie rain would have been of inealeu’ table benefit two months agoj ok even, one month ago. It will still be the greatest possible boon to the country. There had been in frequent light showers, giving a few points of 7 rain, in parts of Canterbury during; this month, and some districts, notably those nearer the foothills, have had recent falls of as much as two inches, but for the wide tract of the Canterbury Plain this rain is the breaking of the long drought. - If rains come hi ore frequently Mor the next two months, there is still a hope that there may be a fair growth of pasture for the winter feed. The position of. some of the dairy farms near the city has been desperate recently, as the farmers have been compelled to use a large part of their bay saved in the early summer, and nornmllv held for winter use.

The lack of pasture lias been so serious that sheep have died of starvation in some districts where the, pastures have completely given out.