RECORD DRY SPELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 940, 5 April 1930, Page 10

RECORD DRY SPELL

LEAST RAINFALL IN MARCH Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, reports as follows on the weather during March. The month has been an exceptionally dry one and few places received half the average fall. No case has yet been reported where the average was reached. North of Otago the mean deficiency was between 70 and 80 per cent, and it is only in the southern portions of Otago and Southland *that the departures fall to moderate dimensions. Some places, such as Auckland, Oamaru, and Westport, had the lowest rainfall ever recorded in March, while at many others lower totals had been recorded on two or three occasions only. In spite of the fact that there was an unusual amount of sunshine temperatures were below normal and frosts were rather numerous. Owing to heavy rains experienced in December and January and the consequent luxuriant growth of herbage, the dry weather did good, rather than harm. There is still an ample supply of pasture in most districts, but the rain is now badly wanted, otherwise conditions will deteriorate rapidly. Crops of all kinds have ripened well and harvesting and picking operations have been facilitated.