RAIN AT LAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 271, 6 February 1928, Page 1

RAIN AT LAST

HEAVY FALL IN WAIKATO SHOWERS IN AUCKLAND With tine province weltering under the blazing skies for six weeks with hardly a drop of rain to relieve'the browning pasture lands it seemed that the dry spell would contlnuQ . idefinitely. Quite unexpectedly heavy showers, and in some districts, several hours of continuous downpour were experienced yesterday afternoon and evening, in parts of the province south of Auckland, as far as Hamilton, and the parched country affected has taken a new lease of life. The first downpour since August fell at Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 4.30. Torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning caused the postponement of sports fixtures, and thoroughly soaked the country round about. Rain fell intermittently throughout the night in heavy and prolonged showers, and by nine o’clock on Sunday morning 1.38 inches had fallen. At Morrinsville 2.18 inches were recorded during the same period, but at Te Aroha threatening clouds appeared, but no rain fell. Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Ngaruawahia experienced heavy showers during the evening, and early yesterday morning, and as a result the crops will benefit greatly. Auckland city enjoyed the first steady rain for almost six weeks, but some suburbs experienced only the lightest - showers. The fall was confined mainly to the city and eastern suburbs, but the western districts continued in tantalising dryness. NO RELIEF AT WAITAKERES The vagaries of the winds and clouds decreed that no rain should fall where it was most needed —in the Waitakere Ranges. While other parts were feeling the benefit of generous downpours only a few drops pattered on the-water-sheds bordering the city’s dams at Waitakere and Nihotupu. The water level continues to diminish and there is now. less than two months’ supply. The rain-bearing clouds seem to have journeyed in a wide belt across the •island from ocean to ocean, leaving tracks of freshness of a remarkably local character. For instance, half the length of Ponsonby Road was subject to a thorough drenching, while the other portion remained as dry as ever it was. So heavy was the downpour at Ilunua yesterday afternoon that several motor-cars whose owners were viewing the falls were bogged on the clay roads, which were soon reduced to a quagmire when torrential * rain came down from 2 p.m. until about half-past five. Only two out of 20 cars were able to negotiate the steep, hill under their own power. Horses had to be used to drag the others out of the mire and place them on firmer ground. A small landslip fell near a quarry, and before the road was passable workmen had to clear away the debris. A message from Dargaville states that the dry spell is causing much concern among the farmers of the district. The report states that there is a great falling off in the milk yield. There still seems to be no sign of rain. -The fall recorded in the city yesterday afternoon totalled only .03in. Travellers on the special excursion tram which carried them on the trip to the Waitomo Caves yesterday could see the benefits from Saturday’s heavy fall of rain. The country right through from near Papakura to Frankton Junction looked fresh and there' was a noticeable tinge of green showing through the w:»iered pastures. The dust had been laid and made the railway journey much more comfortable. Farmers stated yesterday that the rain would do an immense amount of good, but much more is wanted before the grass' will grow freqjy again.