SUMMER'S CALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 6, 8 January 1935, Page 8

SUMMER'S CALL.

CITY WORK IRKSOME.

SPORT ON THE WATER.

With the opening of the legal offices and the Stock Exchange IJ day. Auckland business circles have settled down to normal life again. It is with reluctance that they have done so, for the ideal slimmer weather has been experienced since Saturday last, and the call of the open spaces and the shimmering sands and lukewarm water of the liar- . hour beaches is strong, and office work by contrast is drudgery. The temperature has ranged about * 82 degrees during the past few days. For those in the city, and equally so for those labouring in the open, I has been oppressive, particularly so when their thoughts wander to the lucky people —aiubtliere are hundreds of them — who, clad in the scantiest of garments, are getting the fullest delight from the sun at tlie many holiday spots around the gulf. Good Harbour Fishing. The cessation of the extremely long run of easterly and north-easterly winds hSs enhanced the comfort of holidaymakers at the beaches, and, incidentally, improved the sport of fishing in the gulf and around the foreshore. One ardent angler from Takapuna, whose sport during the past couple of weeks has been limited by the freshness of the prevailing winds, came back to work this morning somewhat compensated by his success since Saturday last, when his catch had averaged 40 snapper a day. Parties fishing from dinghies, outboards and launches had good sport during the week-end in the channel within a mile from the shore, and further out near the Rangitoto beacon. For tlß> yachtsmen and lauiielinien who went further afield during the holidays, the conditions were disappointing. The variable nature of the weather in the province is evidenced by the experience of the crew of the keeler Ida. In a 17-dav cruise to the Bay of Islands they had only four days without rain, and none of them can display sun-tan face or bronzed body, which is an outward sign of the success of a cruise. Only a fair measure of success has been had in the deep-sea fishing grounds so far, and the first swordlish of the season at the Bay of Islands was taken on Saturday last. A Parnell resident i thought the honour was to be his on Friday, when lie struck a fine swordlish off Picrcy Island and played it for about 20 minutes. He was/just warming up to the struggle when his brake gave trouble, and the big fish shot away, trailing 100 ft of line. However, the big-game fish season does not normally start until the middle of this month, and for the next couple of months niakos find swordlish, attracted to the warmer waters, will no doubt provide Ihe usual thrills of the sport. Forecast for Rain. There were indications this morning that the forecasts of the .meteorologists For a change with freshening winds and rain might be fulfilled. The sky was inclined to be overcast and there was in occasional very slight drizzle. While llie northern part of the province has jeen refreshed with more than sulli•icnt rain, Auckland and its .suburbs are still parched. In the Waikato the need of soaking rains is a general lament, and :he dairy industry, already affected by lie long dry spell, will be seriously preudiced if continuous rains are not ixperienced during the next few weeks.