Southerly Gale in Wellington.

(By Telegraph— Press Association.) Wellington April 16. A fierce southerly gale is blowing all day. with rain, and is quite a repetition of the Easter weather two years ago when the bowling tournament was carried on under difficulties in tbe Drillshed. So far as is known but little damage is done here, a fence or so has | gone but nothing serious has occurred. Several of {he excursion steamer?, especially the small ones had to postpone or abandon their trips. The Rotomahana which left about one this tnornin<.' for the south, o^y c'eired the heads at 7 a.m.. The weather is very thick at the heads and it is reported that the Anglican, bound for Sydney, via Auckland and Napier, aud the Hesketh for Westport are sheltering there, In any case the vessels in Cook-? Straits at the present time must be having a most unenviable time. The Taluiie from Lyttelton, had not reached here by seven to night and it is expected that owing to the thick weather at the heads she his gone into Port Underwood fot shelter.