THE WEATHER AND THREATENED FLOODS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1490, 21 January 1882, Page 2

THE WEATHER AND THREATENED FLOODS.

Nothixg could have been more unfortunate, than the deplorable change which has taken place in the state of the weather, since the publication of last issue. On that occasion we spoke hopefully, nay confidently, of the success attending the efforts made by the Waikato fanners to establish the reputation of the district for wheat culture. After great and untiring efforts, on the part of a few gentlemen interested in the pi*ogress and development of the place, on the best and most advantageous terms, the experiment of wheat growing was attempted this year, on i-ather an extensive scale, and, up to the very last moment, everything indicated that the enterprise would be crowned with a most abundaut success. Indeed/ the crops were just i*eady for the sickle when the weather, theretofore favorable, suddenly changed, and it has now became down right bad. Thursdayset in lowering, with a rapidly falling glass, and, by midday, sundry showers bad set in. These continued with more or less severity, until a late hour of the evening, or, rather, an early hour of yesterday morning, wlien the rain fell in torrents, continuing all day yesterday, and, at the time we now write, it looks as bad as ever, without the slightest sign of cessation. A more continuous rain has not been experienced in Waikato for many a long day. In addition to the damage it is bound to occasion to crops, there is every appearance of a flood, which, if the rain continues very much longer, is bound to be one of considerable severity. From various parts of the district we have reports of the serious damage which has been clone to the roads. On the Piako road, the heavy downpour lias worn away the formation in several places. The cutting near Hinton's has fared badly, and will require a considerable amount of repairing even were the present undesirable weather to cease, which, judging by last night's indications, it is not likely to do for a day or two. There is too much reason to apprehend that we shall have a repitition of the flood of 1875, the evil effects of which will cause it to be long remembered in Waikato. At a late hour last night, we received the following from the Metreological Department, Wellington : — "Expect bad weather between E. and S. and S.E. , glass further falling, but will rise within 12 hours ; wind will continue backing as glass rises." — "The glass has fallen 2'lo since 4 p.m., and now (9 p.m.) stands at 29 00 j this is extraordinary, and we may look out for squalls." — At~the same hour in Hamilton, it was noted that the glass suddenly fell from 29 - l to 29*0, at which it remained steady up to the time we went to press. There were a few minutes cessation of rain, but the interval was but short.