NEGLIGIBLE RAINFALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 48, 27 January 1932, Page 7

NEGLIGIBLE RAINFALL.

!• With the advent of rain yesterday afternoon and the portents of a heavy | downpour, the, belief was confidently that the dry spell had (broken, and that welcome relief had coming to the farmers. However, these. anticipations failed to materialise. After a shower, the rain ceased, ■ though the sky remained overcast and ing a strong north-easterly wind sprang up, and there seemed to be indications of an approaching storm, but again expectations were not realised, and to-day broke warm and fine.

The rainfall this month has been negligible, and only 95 points have been recorded by Mr T. It. Moore, of “Waimarama,” Terrace End. , This is in marked contrast to 6.38 inches of rainfall last January, when there was rain on 20 days, while the rainfall in January of 1930 was 4.84 inches. a 'mere drop or two of rain ffias fallen, this January has been a jeomewhat boisterous month, with frequent winds from the north-west.

MANAWATU GORGE

RIVER VERY LOW.

The Manawatu River flowing through the Gorge is lower than it has been for many years, according to Mr W. Brockie, overseer of the Gorge works. In parts the water .is shallow enough to wade across, and this state is most unusual, as in the past there has always been a substantial depth of water in the Gorge. A further illustration. of the dry season is revealed in the fact that most of the streams with their sources in the ranges have ceased to flow. The rapids over which there is normally a turbulent cascade are now scarcely covered, and the water is just trickling through the rocks. A fire which raged on the ranges yesterday enveloped, Woodville in a dense cloud of smoke. Apparently, some ,of the bush caught fire as a result of the dry condition of the grass and undergrowth.