CHANGE IN WEATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 5

CHANGE IN WEATHER.

BAROMETER'S SUDDEN FALL' EASTERLY GALE EXPECTED. OVERSEAS STEAMERS DELAYED. Strong south-easterly gales are being experienced throughout the Auckland peninsula to-day, and the indications of the barometer are for stormy and squally weather. Since midday yesterday the barometer reading lias fallen suddenly, and by 2 p.m. to-day had dropped half an inch, when the height of the mercury column was 29.(522 inches, with a further downward tendency. This is the lowest reading since April 20. The conditions are dull and threatening with a thick haze coming up from the east. Showery conditions were experienced during the morning, and it is probable that heavy weather will be met with in the near future. Wireless reports from four large steamers in the South Pacific show that heavy gales are being experienced to a distance of at least 1000 miles from the | Xew Zealand coast. This will delay the i arrivals of these steamers, as they are all en route from Panama to Xew Zealand. A wireless message received by the Xew Zealand Shipping Company from; the steamer Dorset, which is bringing 289 passengers from Liverpool, says: "Hope arrive Auckland on Tuesday, but weather bad. Will radio later." A previous radio stated that the Dorset expected to arrive here on Monday. The Turakina, laden with general cargo from Liverpool, reports: "Arrive Wednesday. Now encountering bad weather. " making arrival time uncertain." The City of Adelaide, en route from Xew York, is meeting with similar weather conditions, and in the meantime expects to arrK-e here on Tuesday, provided the gales abates. ' The mail steamer Rotorua, which reported early in the week that she would arrive at Wellington to-day, has since announced that she has met with considerable delay on account of strong head winds and seas, and will not reach port from Southampton before to-mor-row morning.