EAST COAST RAINS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 139, 27 January 1939, Page 4

EAST COAST RAINS

RELIEF AT -GISBOKNjfe FALL OF OVER AN INCH The rainfall in the borough on Wednesday night Avas .6Gin., bringing the total for the month to date to 1.28 in. The surface throughout- the district A\"as becoming very dry and the rain Avill be generally Avelcomed. The hulk of the hay crops were stacked diujng the fine spell and very feAv crops still remain to be harA'ested 1 . The rain appeared to be general over the Avliole of the East Coast and was urgently needed in the Gisborne districts, where- the country had taken on a- very burnt up appearance. / GISBORNE, Thursday. Last night’s rainfall Avas the heaviest in Gisborne for any period of 24 hours since August, Avliich was the last of the wet months. A total of 1.12 in. Avas gauged at the aerodrome and 1.13 in. at the signal station. Combined Avitli the Avoekend rain, when 64 Avere registered at the aerodrome, the countryside has benefited enormously, replenishing the tank Avater supplies and being sufficient to start a growth in the pastures, although if Avindy the next few days much of the benefit will be lost. Within the past five days the rainfall at the aerodrome has totalled 1.82 in., the total for the month to date being I.9Sin. The signal station figures for the past fi\ r e days are 1.59 in., and 1.79 in. for the month. Position on Coast. The rain last- night- extended along the Coast. Coast districts Avere experiencing severe drought conditions, which light rain during the Aveok-end failed' to relieve. The water shortage Avas acute in most households depending upon tanksupplies, and Avater Avas being carried from streams in a number of cases. Hotels were feeling the pinch in a manner seldom experienced, and some proprietors had found it necessary to restrict the use of water. . Some of the smaller streams had dried up completely, causing a difficulty in Avatering stock, Avliich in many instances had to he driven to the main streams, Avherc there Avas still a sufficient- flow. The feed shortage Avas also acute, and Avitli pastures dried up everywhere, all available groAvth had been, eaten down almost to ground level on many farms.

Watering of Stock. The position was most difficult, between Tokomaru Bay and Tilritiki, and i a number of sheep stations in that area wore experiencing trouble in securing sufficient water for the stock. ; Tolaga Bay was not so badly affected as further north, hut there, too, the position was not the host, and rain was urgently required. The drought area extendedl to approximately the Awatere River, a few miles on the Gisborne side of Te Araroa, but beyond there conditionswere spring-like. Beyond Te Araroa, and on to Cape Runaway there has _ been copious rain, and an abundance of feed is carried by the pastures. A full day’s rain last Sunday added further moisture to- an already wellwatered countryside.