THE WEATHER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8258, 26 December 1911, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

Sunday was beautifully fine and it was hoped, that the changeable weather of the past few weeks had given place to weather more settled and more congenial, but on Sunday night dark clouds began to gather and yesterday morning was ushered in with a steady, soaking rain, which continued all day. »The roads are consequently in a very bad state and motorists and cyclists who had set out from other parts where the weather was fine in the morning, had a very unpleasant time, some electing on arrival at Ashburton, to alter their programme, and spend Christmas day here indoors, while quite a; number of cyclists from the south who intended cycling to the city waited in Ashburton for the express' and returned home by train. The picnic parties camping out had a particularly, bad time as did motorists.: ; One car at Rangitata, through damage caused at a water race, had to be abandoned, the occupants fortunately getting a seat in a passing car and so continuing their journey. All: the county rivers were high yesterday, and if this heavy rain continues floods must result. In cases where crops have been cut and not yet gathered in much damage will result unless the rain is followed by a drying ; windj while ripening crops will also I suffer. Yesterday evening the glass j commenced to rise unsteadily, and | about 11 o'clock the rain eased off j slightly, but at 2 o'clock this morning intermittent showers continued and there were no definite signs of the weather taking up. Later, the rain ceased, and the day broke fine. At 11 o'clock the clouds became lighter, and the sun shone occasionally, giving promise that it would hold out fine for the day. From the time the rain commenced to fall on Saturday till 9 o'clock, this morning, 1.64. points were j registered at the Domain weather station. ,