OVERDUE DOWNPOUR

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 24 October 1942, Page 4

OVERDUE DOWNPOUR

LAST NIGHT 'S RAIN WELCOME. CROPS CON SIDER ABLY BENEFITED. The whole of the Marlborough district last night was subjected to the soaking rain which was so urgently required by both crops and pastures. The gaugings reported this morning ranged from 90 points to as high as 1.43 inches, and there is no doubt that a tremendous amo-unt of good will result from the downpour, which set in about nine o'clock last night and continued until the early hours of this morning. There was undoubtedly no one more happy than the farmers in Marlborough last night when the rain set in in earnest, for anxiety over the fate of crops had been increasing steadily as the dry spell progressed. Yellowing, half-grown wheat and all growth practically at a standstill served to indicate how serious the position would speedily become if it was not relieved. With last night's penetrating rain there should be no further need for worry — at any rate, for some time. In Blenheim a fall of 1.21 inches was gauged at the River Board 's depot in Parker street, while the reading at The Wither was 90 points. Spring Creek caught the full force 1 of the north-wester, and the reading there was a bare seven points short of II inches. Up to last night only 23 points had fallen in that area during October. Mrashlands had 1.29 inches and the P-ukaka stream is carrying a slight fresh, which has flooded some of the lower-lying parts. The Wairau river is also about six feet above normal, and is still rising. It is doubtful, however, if the water will enter Morrin's Hollow. Conditions were still showery this morning, and further heavy falls do not appear improbable.