HEAVY RAIN IN CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 12 January 1926, Page 7

HEAVY RAIN IN CITY.

A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR MUCH BENEFIT EXPECTED. STEAMERS' SAILINGS AFFECTED. Heavy showers of almost tropica, intensity fell in the city this morning. The rain had been threatening since yesterday afternoon and began shortly after ten o'clock. Between ten and i eleven o'clock there was a heavy downpour, and shortly after eleven a number of distinct claps of thunder were heard, following which the rain came down solidly for almost half an hour (lowlying streets' and areas being temporarily flooded). At noon the rain ceased and the sun broke through for a few minutes a little before one o'clock. Owing to the rain this morning cargo work on the wharf was interrupted for over two hours and the departures of a number of steamers are likely to be affected. The Canadian Britisher will ndt leave for Wellington before 4 p.m. to-morrow, and the steamers Awahou and Mako may be late in sailing for the East Coast. The Mataban and the Trekieve are both to leave for Wellington to-morrow, afternoon to discharge a further quantity of cargo from New York. The rain put an effective stop to the continuation of the Plunket Shield cricket match at Eden Park. Scarcely any rain fell in Auckland for the twenty-four hours ending at 9 a.m. to-day, the Albert Park gauge registering only .01, as shown in the observations of Captain D. McLeay (official observer). The day, however, was overcast; and the continuance of humid conditions was very noticeable, especially yesterday afternoon and this morning. The temperature of the air at 9 | a.m. to-day was 72 degrees, the highest recorded at that hour this summer. The wind was still in the north-east, and continued light during the morning. Much benefit is expected in the suburbs and country districts as the humid conditions and warm showers should have a refreshing effect upon parched-up pastures. Cake Shop Flooded. During tho heavy downpour of rain this morning the cake shop in the Grafton Flats Building was flooded, but no damage was done. It is reported that the flooding was due to a street drain becoming blocked.