THE DROUGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1919, Page 4

THE DROUGHT.

AN* INTERESTING STATEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. \ Wellington, Last Night. Interviewed, Mr. Bates, Government meteorologist, made an interesting reference to the present drought. There was no immediate prospect, he said, of the drought breaking up, but there were several possibilities which would havs to be watched during the week, for at the end of these anti-cyclones storms were prevalent. Rainfall had been deficient in Wellington for the paist f»ur months. The actual rainfall during that period had been 8.92 inches, as against an average of 15.13 inches. The falling-off had become even more pronounced during the last few months, Mr. Bates gave the following figures for the North Island for the period of four months ending April:—

Mr. Bates said the anti-cyclonie conditions had continued all over the Dominion during the past month and the , low pressures had been deflected. There was at the present time a westerly lull theatening in the South Island, but freshening north-west winds changing to southerly were very probable here. These, however, were not likely to bring the rain so badly needed.

Actual. Average. .. 5.4 16.52 .. 5.73 11.82 .. 8.56 M 05 .. 7.75 18!67 . .. 5.63 15.68 ... 5.S9 12.61 New Plymouth .. 15.88 16.05 Masterton ...... .. 055 11.9» .. 3.79 12.73