RAIN AT LAST.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5244, 27 February 1928, Page 2

RAIN AT LAST.

REFRESHING SHOWERS FALL.

UNSETTLED CONDITIONS PREVAIL

The prolonged spell of dry weather was broken locally, in common with other parts of the district, on Friday afternoon. Threatening weather conditions prevailed for 24 hours prior to mid-day on Friday, when heavy drops of rain fell, and shortly afterwards there were several lengthy showers, but the conditions, then improved somewhat. Later in the afternoon the wind veered round to an almost due easterly direction, and at •night there were fairly heavy showers, these conditi°ns prevailing until about 9 o’clock on Saturday morning. The weather then cleared.

Yesterday morning the wind changed to a south-westerly direction, and being a stiff warm breeze it quickly dried the ground. The total rainfall fr«m mid-day on Friday to mid-day yesterday totalled .75 inches. It can be said that this was the first heavy rainfall experienced locally since December 29, pnd as a consequence pastures and gardens became parched. On January 23 the use of hoses for watering gardens was prohibited, and since then the growth of plants and vegetables in gardens has been greatly retarded, and in many instances it will be necessary to renew the plants altogether. Lawns have also suffered severely, and on the higher areas in the borough it is quite probable that new seed will have to be sown.

Farmers were to be seen about the town on Saturday morn’ng looking more cheerful than they have don® for some months past., The pastures have dried up, and 'what grass that was edible for stock contained 1 little nutriment. As a consequence the milk supply is down to about twothirds, of what it generally is at this season of the year.

The recent rain, although insufficient, has at least freshened up things, and will no doubt revive dried pastures, blit considerably more rain is required before much growth can be looked for. \ '

Farmers, who have had fields of paspalum grass have found! that it stands up well to the dry weather and has proved a boon for cattle. In some parts of Netherton the farmers; have experienced a trying time with shortage of water, both for stock and household purposes, and for Weeks past have been carting water) in many instances a considerable distance. Last week’s rain assisted to replen’sh tanks apd relieve the shortage somewhat.

So far as the Paeroa water s,upply is concerned the rain has made no appreciable difference. A great deal more rain is required to restore growth before the autumn sets; in.

The rain has had the desired effect of checking the bush and swamp fires. With the clearing of the, atmosphere of smoke the air has been very much cooler and less enervating. On Saturday morning the thermometer registered 74 degrees in the shade. Vestterday afternoon it stood at 75 degrees, while this morning it had dropped to 68 degrees. Shortly before 10 o’clock this morning there was a torrential downpour which lasted for about a quarter of an hour. In a very few minutes all the water-channels were filled to capacity, pnd in some of the lower areas the water flowied across the footpaths. Outside the Commercial Hotel there was 1 a stretch of water, but it quickly disappeared when the downpour ceased. • 1

Ope of the business premises in Nor■manby Road suffered loss by reason of the water pouring through a weak spot in the roof. .While the deluge lasted two full benzine tins of water were taken from the leak. The wallpaper was also badly dlamaged, as also was some sof the stock.

The downpour was apparently of a local nature, as travellers from the Puke and Rotokohu reported that there had been no heavy raini in those localities. RAINFALL ON THE PLAINS. Heavy rain, the first since Christmas Eve, commented to fall on the Hauraki Plains at noon on Friday, and it continued almost without a stop for 24 hours. At the Lands Office, Kererpeehi- .97 ol an inch was recorded, bringing the total for the year to date up to 1.09 inches.

The rain will do an enormous amount of good, as the district was beginning to be seriously affected by the drought. ..