THE WEATHER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2694, 27 December 1909, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

HEAVY RAIN AND GALE.

THE AUCKLAND STEAMER DELAYED.

The weather conditions locally, which for some Hays have been anything but pleasant, culminated into a strong south-easterly gale yesterday, accompanied by heavy rain, which was fairly constant in the morning, and fell in showers during the afternoon and evening.: For this season of the year, the weather has been most peculiar, especially as regards the continued' rain, which ur> till yesterday had fallen on six consecutive days. The following are the quantities registered for the last few days, the gauge readings being taken at 9 a.m.: Wednesday .03 inches, Tsursday .24in, Friday .26in, Saturday .98in. At yesterday morning’s reading 1.39 inches was registered, and at 3 p.ra. a further .72 of an inch had fallen, so that, taking into account the comparatively fine afternoon on Saturday, over two inches of rain must have fallen between midnight on Saturday and yesterday afternoon.

This heavy fall had its natural effect upon the rivers and creeks of the district, many of which were very much swollen. Both- the Taruheru and Wai. mata rivers were greatly increased in volume, being risen by about four to five feet. The water was much discolored and quantities of driftwood were coming down. The Big river also was in flood, and was bearing large logs rapidly seawards yesterday afternoon. The tide in the afternoon was a very' full one, and the water was within a few feet of the top of the wharf. Mr. H. J. Day’s pleasure yacht, moored near the Kaiti bridge, broke loose, and commenced to drift rapidly down, the river. She had not proceeded far, however, before a launch started in pursuit, and, quickly overhauling tbe yacht, brought her safely back. The river channel between the groyne and breakwater was a seething mass of troubled water, and most dangerous to navigation. Huge seas were breaking over the end of the breakwater, while at times the groyne was totally submerged by the mountains of water pouring over it. The wind, which had sprung up on Saturday afternoon, had kept on increasing in strength until yesterday afternoon it was a veritable gale. Its direction was south-east, with a tendency to back round to the south. Out in the bay little could be seen but a great stretch of white-top-ped rollers. The surrounding hills were at times obliterated by tne driving, misty rain, but occasionally a glimpse could be caught of the s.s. Tolcomaru, with steam up, riding at anchor under the shelter of Young Nick’s Head. .. At about 3.30 n.m. the s.s. Monowai, 27J hours out from Auckland, and 10 hours 55 minutes past the Cape, steamed into the bay. It was impossible to tender her owing to the heavy sea, and she was signalled to stand by until 7 o’clock this morning, when, if possible, she will be tendered. For some time, after her arrival the Monowai cruised round in and out of the bay, standing well across on one occasion to pick up the signals. She did not appear to be making heavy weather of it, and finally came to anchor in shelter under Young Nick’s Head.

The wind blew with increasing violence up till about 8 p.m. last night, when it had attained almost hurricane force. Later on, however, it moderated considerably, veering round more to the south, and becoming more squally than before. At a late hour there was little sign of immediate improvement in the weather generally. SEVERE STORM AT WELLINGTON. STEAMERS DELATED—SMALL CRAFT DAMAGED. rp K n Fukss Association.! WELLINGTON, Dec. 26. After a spell of fine weather, a wild southerly storm burst on Saturday over Wellington, culminating at night in one of the severest storms known for years. A good deal of minor damage was done ashore. A wash-out on the Hutt railway necessitated a temporary deviation of traffic to the old line. The steamer Mararoa was unable to get away for Lyttelton last night, owing to rough weather. She cleared the Heads at 12.30 n.m. to-day. The Maori, which left Lyttelton at 10 o’clock last night, had to make two attempts to enter Wellington, and succeeded the second time at 11 a.m. after an oil bag had been brought into use. The ferry steamer Cobar was torn from her moorings at Day’s Bay. Luckily she had steam up, and was thus able to make straight for Wellington. Many pleasure boats in the vicinity of Dav’s Bay met with minor mishaps/ The Union Co.’s launch Karamea broke from her moorings, and was piled up at Kaiwarra. 1 The oil launch Meo, which was anchored at Rona Bay, broke away, and was thrown up on the rocks at Makeno Bay. . ' . • The steamer . Auchendale, which left Auckland on Wednesday evening for Wellington, has not arrived yet. It is supposed that she is sheltering ou the coast.

ROUGH EXPERIENCE OF THE RAKANOA.

The steamer Rakanoa reached Wellington to-night after a tempestuous time in Cook" Strait. She was bound from Westport, met a hurricane off Terawhiti night, and for some hours’ coilid only keep head to sea. A great sea broke on deck over the quarter, smashing the skylights and fittings. The men bad to go aft to straighten things up, and were caught by a succeeding sea, and four were badlv injured, having to bo removed to the hospital on the steamer’s arrival. The weather is now calm, and Cook s Straits are comparatively smooth. A GALE IN CANTERBURY. . CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 26. A ■ heavyv southerly gale blew yesterdav, but spent itself early this morning, and to-day is bright and sunny. In the afternoon dust was blowing m the streets. In North Canterbury the gale was felt severely, but no serious damage is reported. SOUTHERLY GALE AT TIMARTT. - TIMARU, Dec. .26. Christmas Eve. was a busy dav m town,, and, with fine weather passed .off well, but in the evening the shopping ■parade, was cut short at 9.30 clock by a fierce southerly dust-raiser. During the night a nice useful rain, fellA' southorlv continued, throughout .the Saturday, but the weather was dry. The rain was very welcome in tho country. VIOLENT STORM AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Dec. 26. The holidays so far have been spoiled by weather. Christmas EYe was

beautiful and warm, but a change occurred about midnight, and Christmas Day was cold and wet at times.' In the evening heavy rain set in with a high wind, which increased to a violent gale, and raged till noon to-day. Havoc was wrought in gardens. As the afternoon drew on conditions changed for the better, and there is some prospect of fine weather for Boxing Day.