COOLING SHOWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 3, 5 January 1938, Page 9

COOLING SHOWER.

JUST BEFORE NOON.

HEAT IN CITY LESSENED.

ANXIETY FOR CAMPERS.

To-day it rained for the third time this year, and heated city workers were glad. Far from regarding the heavy shower that fell before noon as portending of bad weather during 1938. thev leaned from office windows and raised perspiring faces from factory machines, thanking the skies for the cooling freshet that tumbled down to temper the hot wind and thin the muggy air.

It was a sharp and heavy shower that lasted only a short time. But it was sufficient to lay the dust raised on footpaths and streets by a wind that was so light that it helped little to alleviate sultry conditions. It was heavy enough to cause holiday makers on Wailieke Island and in other parts of the gulf to think hopefully of replenished tanks and fresh-water washes taken with an easier conscience.

For others the shower foretold coming anxieties. Campers saw greying skies and visualised further rain that would make conditions under canvas decidedly uncomfortable. Yachtsmen exploring the gulf and lying in Waiheke's abundant bays saw forebodings of days in stuffy cabins and cooking in wet and slippery cockpits.

Probably it was the workers alone and not the holiday makers who appreciated the shower. Those with gardensaw freshened soil and rejuvenation of plants fast wilting, T*armers saw greener pastures and moistened crops. and despite the quick cessation of tlie shower were hopeful that further falls would follow. Remembering the meteorologist's promise of "cloudy to overcast weather, with rain developing gradually." they recognised the shower as a promise of things to come.

'"Even if it doe* rain, we can't comI plain.'' wa = the general verdict. '"We had a good spell over the holidays."' Christmas and the week preceding it brought excellent weather. On Chri~tma/i Day there wa« brilliant sunshine — S2 depree« in the shade at one period— and up till December 31 the heat continued. On December 31 it drizzled, and toward the eveninsr showers fell. The Xew Year arrived in a fine spell, hut at 3 a.m. on January 1 rain wa« fallin? steadily. Two days of fine weather, and to-day it rained a;rairi.