THE WEATHER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9079, 21 February 1908, Page 4

THE WEATHER.

REPORT FOR JANUARY. Per Press Association. Wellington, February 20. Figures published in the Gazette to-night show that the average rainfall during January in the North Island (returns being taken at 11 observing stations) was 40 points (100 points to the inch). The average fall in the South Island (recorded afe nine stations) was 147 points In nearly every part of the North Island the rainfall has been so lew that it constitutes a record for any month since the returns have been generally made. In the northernparts of the South Island the has also been most remarkable,* but. in the ; southern parts the rainfall, though below the average everywhere, has not been so deficient. On the whole, there can be nodoubt that the past mouth has generally been the driest since the country was settled, and as this follows as a second very dry mouth in the eastern parts of the North Island, and Marlborough aud Canterbury in the South, the experieuceis all the more unusual in New Zealand. The temperature, though subject to a considerable range, had a higher mean than usual in all parts, and the barometer was also higher, with only very moderate fluctuations from westerly depressions—which passed quickly on the 10th, 20th, 23ud, aud 80th, with but little influence on the weather.

EFFECTS ON THE DAIRY £INDUSTEY, Palmerston, Fobruaary 31. The Mauawatu Dairy .Expert has informed a Standard representative that drought is causing dairy farmers a loss of at least £IO,OOO a. month as compared with. last, season’s returns.