The Wairarapa Daily THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1889. CAPTAIN EDWIN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 2295, 29 August 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1889. CAPTAIN EDWIN.

Time was .when wo iu the Wairarapa had almost daily messages from Captain Edwin, giving us assurance of coming showers and occasional heavy rains, but of lato we have not recoived a solitary " wire" Irom our New Zealand weather prophet. We do not know whether he has retired from the meteorological business, or migrated to some other shore whero there is better raw material in tho shape of climate for the exercise of Ins special talents. If the colony has lost 'tho services of this Elijah, we trust an Elisba will soon be found to succeed Jiiin, because never within our recollection have settlers greater reason to bo anxious about the weather than at ' tho prcsont time. They have had three exceptionally dry summer seasons jn succession, and if the coming oiie answers at all to the character ol the late winter, it will be even more sultry than its predecessors. If the Captain is still to the fore, we would very much like to Ifivow what prospect there may bo of a broalf iij the climatic cyolo through which we aro passing, and also what probability there is of it being succeeded by a humid period, Has New Zealand lost its rainfall, or will tho colony regain the averages of past years! The matter js a serious one; indeed, it is of greater consequence than most of the subjects to which our legislators aro devoting themselves. We learn that even now, at the rainiest season of the year, water is failing stekowners in the Timaru district, and farmers are becoming alarmed, If this be the state of our climate in August, what may it not be in January and February next ? Here, in the Wairarapa, tho winter rains have been insufficient to tlnrougbly permeate pastures, and unless a decided change occurs speedily, settlers will Buffer from a deficiency ot feed in the spring mouths of tho year. Even in cultivated gardons growth is partially arrested by the reduced rainfall, and the result may be a marked decrease of tho supply of vegetables and fruits as the growing season advances. In Victoria, great attention is paid to meteorological returns, and dire necessity obliges tho officers pf this department to supply careful observations to the public, which aro of considerable value to all engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. In thjs polony wo have such a department, but it evidently y/antc waking up a littlo. We have also' a

learned pundits, who'might possibly, j if they, gavo their minds to it, throw some little light on the meteorological problem; but we are accustomed to rely mainly upon our old friend Captain Edwin, and would like to know whore he is mid what he is about. Our supply of rain for the present month ol A ugust has been exceedingly small, hut we have one day yet left, which we trust may be dedicated to St Swithin, and that the said Saint will arrange tint, "The thirsty earth Micks up the rain, And drinks and pipes for drink again; Thu pl:inls.suck in the earth, and arc With constant ill inking fresh and fail'."