DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1914, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

FEILDING SHOW.

[Per Press Association.]

Feilding, February 3

'' On the first day of the Feilding Show, the following championships were awarded: Hereford bull and cow, E. Short; Holstein bull, W. I Lovelock; cow, C. Hopping. Ayrshire bull, J. McFarland; cow. D. Buchanan. Shorthorn bull, t\ ~ Gibson. Jersey bull, Topi McKenzie; ,cdw. C. G. C. Dernier. Romney ram,, PMungavin. Southdqwn ram, J,. -Jvnight; ewe, Ellis B'fqs. Points prizes

were awarded as follows: Fl,o ( 'k sheep, W. Reid and. Son (Feilding). Fat sheep, A. E. and A. Symcs (Waverley). Fat lambs, Highden Estate (Feilding). Fat sheep and lambs, Syrnes.

•* DEFORESTATION.

Auckland,) February 3

The suggestion that the destruction of forest growth in the country has had the effect of diminishing the rainfall, has, according to the Rev.. IX C. Rates, Dominion Meteorologist', been proved scientifically incorrect, and his contention is supported by Ati' T. F. Cheeseman, curator of the local museum, and a well-known meteorologist, who said that the records showed just the same variation now as they did forty years ago. Diagrams also showed that there was no appreciable difference in the rain in recent years. The effect^ of the raintall on the country from which hush had been takyn was, however, very different. The removal of forest growth which retained rain for a considerable time meant that water now rushed into gullies and valleys and caused sudden freshes and floods. New Zealand’s geographical position, surrounded as it was by oceans of water, and the direction of prevailing winds, had more to do with the rainfall, in his opinion, than deforestation. Warm air retained more moisture than cold air, therefore, when the prevailing winds, which blow from cast to west, or vice versa, and cross the islands at right angles, were forced upwards as they struck Hie mountain ranges in the centre of the islands, the air currents were cooled and discharged part of their moist-;

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Timaru, February 3

Extraordinary local rainfalls are reported in the Waihao and Geraldine districts yesterday as well as at Fairlie and Harrow. A thunderstorm crossed the country from Waitaki to Mount Four Peaks, pouring down water. At Four Peaks chimneys were cracked by lightning and a number damaged by storm water. The river at Waihao Forks rose Bft in an hour, and at Willowhridge, where the channel is wide, the water rose Gft. At Waimate this morning, a man named Ancell, aged about 70, drove a springcart across the ford at Wainiato Creek, instead of taking the light traffic bridge, and was drowned. The body was recovered half-a-mile down the stream.

Another great rainfall occurred today on the line a few miles nearer the coast, a great mass of storm water crossing Fairlie between Winscombe and Albury.

A young man, name not ascertained, loitering about the wharf near the s.s. Flora to-day, fell into the sea, and, striking his head on a fender, was rescued unconscious and taken to the hospital. 'Phe hotel staff took charge of the new Hermitage at Mount Cook yesterday. The fitting was completed today. The old house is still available for. sleeping accommodation if required.