FAVOURABLE MONTH

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 7

FAVOURABLE MONTH

WEATHER IN JULY July was a splendid winter month for most of the country. One of the chief features was the absence of strong winds which made the frequent clear days feel milder than they really were, for frosty nights I kept temperatures down to normal level, states a report by the Dominion meteorologist. Easterly weather gave some dull, wet spells especially in eastern districts of the North Island, but otherwise rainfall was unusually • light. Such weather has made no ‘ heavy call on supplementary fodder and there is practically no winter feed problem this year. Already there is spring growth in ‘ pastures and many plants show abnormal development for the time of year. Autumn sown wheat has had a good start and further cultivation for spring sown crops has been carried out without hindrance. Conditions have been ideal for lambing and calving and favourable to the health of stock generally. Record Established As already indicated the month was very dry generally. The exceptions were in the Whangarei-Bay of ; Islands region and also in coastal ; areas from Hawkes Bay to East L Cape. Central and western districts l of the North Island as well as the ; major portion of the South Island i had less than half the normal amount . ; of rain, and many places in the inl 1 terior of the latter less than a , quarter. Several stations established ■ new records, and in Southland there has been some shortage of tank water. Temperatures departed very little from normal, being somewhat above .in the south and tending slightly t ■ below in the north. Nights were cool, i with widespread and frequent frosts, : which were not unusually sharp. However, on one or two occasions : ! record frosts were reported in South : | Auckland. There is less snow than i I usual on the ranges. i | Sunshine was in excess at most i ! stations, a majority of records being J 20 hours above the average.