RAIN BY CONTRACT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2305, 21 July 1921, Page 4

RAIN BY CONTRACT

“MAKER'S” GOOD START.

A “rain-maker” named Hatfield is under a contract with the farmer* of Alberta to increase the rainfall in the dry sections of the country, says a Canadian correspondent. Hatfield is established in a small hut at the lonely margin of Chappiee Lake, 20 miles from Medicine Hat. He expresses absolute confidence that he can fulfil the contract. He says:—‘“The average rainfall in this district during the past four years is below 2in. lam bound by contract to increase that to four. Actually, I hope to make it nearer Bin. As to my ability, you may judge at the end of July, when the contract expires.” All the morning on which Hatfield had this interview, rain was steadily falling. Since the interview 24 hours have elapsed, and rain is still falling. Hatfield began work on May Ist, and promised the first rain in six davs. Rain began on the third day, and has continued with brief intervals ever since. Tt is five years since tliis dry area has known such a steady seasonal rainfall. Hatfield is from California, and the contract, for a period of three; months, is to produce rain over a territory with a radius of 100 miles.. Nature is to tie given credit for'half the rainfall, light or heavy, and the rain-maker credit lor the renmindn. He* gets £I,OOO for each inch of rainfall beyond the 2in. normal, with a maximum reward of £2,000, whatever the results. The contract is a legal document, and is in safety in a deposit box at Medicine Hat.. As a final evidence of human faith or credulity, the £2,000 have been secured by voluntary subscriptions from the heads of families in the area of the rain-maker’s operations.