WELCOME RAIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 47, 24 January 1938, Page 6

WELCOME RAIN

COOLER TEMPERATURES. MANAWATU RIVER RISINGFollowing threatening conditions yesterday afternoon, rain set in early last night and continued, almost without an interval, throughout c tliis forenoon. There were few very heavy showers, as is evidenced by the fact tnat tiie total iall up to 9.30 this morning was only .36in, but it was a welcome and refreshing change, nevertheless, following the long period of particularly dry weather. , 'Hie rain was accompanied by a strong wind off tiie ranges, and the temperature to-day was much cooler. While the rain so far will be beneficial to crops, there has not been nearly sufficient for pasture lands. ‘>Ve require another 48 hours of sinulai ram with Jess wind,” one farmer told the “Standard” to-day. The hot summer has had a most serious effect on pastures generally throughout the Manawatu district and further south, but due to the sandy formation of the soil those in the Whirokino district beyond Foxton have suffered to a very considerable extent. A..good downpour will be welcomed throughout the district. As ‘previously stated the fall during the night totalled .36in, this figure being recorded at the High School. At West End, however, Mr C. H. Mason registered the fall-at ,43in, making the total for the year to date 2.45 inches. Friday was the second hottest day experienced this summer, the thermometer registering 90 degrees. It was cooler on Saturday, when the reading was 79 degrees, but yesterday the mercury rose to 82 degrees. The reading at 9.30 this morning was 60 degrees, which is the lowest morning recording for several weeks.

Advice was received at the Chief Post Office, Palmerston North, from the postmaster at Norsewood, shortly after noon, that it was raining heavily there, and the Manawntu River was rising rapidly. There was no sign then of an appreciable rise in the river at Woodville, however. At 1 p.m. the river gauge at the Fitzherbert bridge showed Ift 6in above summer level.

STORM ON WEST COAST. DAMAGE AT GREYMOUTH. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, Jan. 23. A wintry gale with squalls of sleety rain which swept Greymoutli this afternoon did considerable damage to property. Fences were flattened, sheds unroofed and wireless masts blown down by the gale, which lasted most of the afternoon. In many cases the windows of houses were torn from their hinges. No injuries to persons are reported. At station 3ZR the 60-foot lattice aerial mast erected above Central Chambers was partly demolished, necessitating a curtailment of programmes. The rain, which commenced on Saturday morning, brought relief __ to farmers in all parts of the West Coast after a prolonged dry spell which was seriously affecting pastures. Gold dredges depending mainly on consistent rainfall have also been hampered in their operations since the holidays, but the rain will enable them to carry on as usual.

WESTPORT’S EXPERIENCE

Per Press Association

WESTPORT, Jan. 23. Westport had a boisterous week-end with rain falling steadily from early on Saturday afternoon. Fruit trees have shed the greater part of their fruit.

A tree fell over a power line on McPadden’s Hill, temporarily interrupting the service. Telegraph communication between Westport and Karamea is interrupted. SHIPPING HAMPERED. THICK WEATHER OFF COAST. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. The rain of yesterday continued till this morning, but conditions are rapidly improving. The weather is very thick about, the heads, however, and the New Zealand Star has been outside since 7 o’clock waiting for it to clear. The Rrisbane Maru, also from Auckland, came in at 8.30 a.m. The Awatea, which was due at 8 o’clock from Sydnev, has announced that she will not arrive till this afternoon. _ , . , . The Surrey left about 8 o clock for Waikokopu.

RAIN AT 6ISBORNE. Per Press Association. GISBORNE. Jan. 24. Light but steady rain is falling today.° This is the first of any consequence for nearly seven weeks.