WELCOME RAIN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4955, 24 March 1926, Page 2

WELCOME RAIN.

GREAT BENEFIT TO DISTRICT.

COUNTRY IN A PARCHED STATE.

Pleased expressions were to be seen on the faces of farmers in town this morning owing to the rain tha,t has fallen locally during the night and this morning. For nearly a month the district h,as received an unusually small amount olf rain for this time of the year, and matters, were becoming quite serious. It was not necessary to go far from the main street to realise how parched the country was, and the urgent need for rain. Pastures were thoroughly dried up, and there was little growth in the root crops.

With such conditions prevailing it has been obvious) that the stock must suffer. In consequence .the milk yiel<t has fallen below the average by many gallons, and the majority of settlers anticipate a very, "Lean” month as a result of the decrease in the returns. Under normal conditions, however, it is reasonably expected that there will be a certain amount of growth in the pastures during the next two. months), and the ground being warm, the rainfall should promote a good growth. Up to midnight last night .23 of an inch of rain was recorded at the local Public Works office, and from that time to 9 o’clock this morning a further .22 of an inch was registered, making a total of .45 of an inch for the 23 days of this month. This fall is considerably below the average for the same period hr pas|t seasons. ' The barometer .this, morning rea.d 29.26, and the wind has changed to a north-easterly direction, the indications being that further rain is to be expected.