Welcome rain eases pain

SWINGING IN THE RAIN: Pirongia farmer Alan Walter was more than happy to have showers accompany his round at the Te Awamutu Golf Course on Sunday. 043081AD

By Cathy Asplin

Most fundraising events hope for fine weather to make for a successful day - but you didn’t hear any complaints at Te Awamutu Golf Course when it rained on Sunday.

Showers were welcomed by teams in the Te Awamutu Rowing Club Golf Tournament, while farmers amongst the teams were hoping it was just the start of better things to come.

The Waikato Regional Council declared the area a drought zone last week after it was offi cially recognised as the driest summer here since records began more than 100 years ago.

But despite the rain and promise of more to come, Environment Waikato is still urging all communities to conserve water. Waipa District Council has also had it’s information trailers flashing reminders that there is a sprinkler ban on and to conserve water.

Recordings from Sundays showers range from a measly 1.5mm in town and 5mm at Ngutunui to a reported 30mm at Ngaroma.

(More details, photos of the Te Awamutu Rowing Club Golf Tournament - and its surprise guest who stole the show - will be published on Thursday.)