THE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17206, 25 July 1921, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

A SOUTHERLY GALE. The strong scra'-west gale, which commenced on Friday afternoon, continued with unabated iorce till after sundown on Saturday. On Saturday the wind was so strong and cold that all who could do so preferred to remain indoors, and several football and other fixtures were postponed. It was expected by several people that after the wind, which seemed "to be blowing from snow,'' subsided there would be a snowfall, but yesterday was a fine and mild day. Several trees were blown down, and fences and windows also suffered as a result of the blow. Shipping was delayed all along the East Coast. AT LYTTELTON. A strong southerly wind commenced to blow at Lyttelton in the enrly hours of Saturday morning, and before daylight had increased to a violent gale. Trees and shrubs suffered considerable damage, and in some instances roofing iron and shingles were blown from buildings. A little snow fell on the hills on the far side of the harbour. Shipping along the coast was badly buffetted. The Maori arrived at 9.20 a.m. having encountered the gale from south of Kaikoura. On her arrival at the moles, she was backed in in the customary manner. Approaching her berth the two side turbines were put full ahead. Such was the violence of the wind and sea } however, that this failed to stop her, and she was rapidly passing her berth when Captain Cameron ordered full ahead with the main drive. This had the desired effect. For a few moments the water boiled under her stern, then she was quickly warped into her benth. His Excellency tWe Governor-General, who was. on the bridge of the Maori, was an interested spectator of this manoeuvring, and complimented Captain Cameron on Ins neat handling of tlife vessel in trying circumstances. Little work was done on the waterfront, owing to the high wind. It is expected that shipping at most ports will be delayed. The heavy seas in the harbour made conditions almost impossible for the harbour launches. The Diamond harbour launch maintained her timetable, although with difficulty. The collier Koromiko, from Newcastle, anchored in the stream during the morning to await pratique. As the boarding launch never would have been able to get alongside the vessel with the sea that was running, the Koromiko was ordered to come in. and pratique was granted at the wharf, a proceeding which is authorised in special circumstances. The average wind velocity recorded at Lyttelton for the twenty-four hours ending at 9 a.m. yesterday was 46.46 miles per hour. For the four ihoure from 9 till 1 p.m. on Saturday, the average was just over 64 miles per The Marnroft, with a large number of passengers on board, including the Springboks, arrived nt Lyttelton at 3.45 p.m. yesterday, niter a v< ry rough trip. Leaving Wellington at 8.15 p.m. on Saturday, the steamer encountered a sou'wosterly gale right from the Heads. She received a severe buffeting in the Strait, and only reached Capo Campbell, 37 miles from Wellington, at 2.37 a.m. About 4 a.m. the wind moderated, and better progress was made, although a heavy sea was running. Kaikoura was alboam shortly aftiT 8 a.m., by which, time the sea was decreasing, and the vessel passed Lyttelton Heads at 3.20 p.m. AH of the passengers on the boat suffered from the rough trip. The small steamer Wakatu left the whnrf at Kaikoura. at 9.45 a.m. on Saturday, but was force! to remain at an anchorage in the vicinity until 5 a.m. yesterday, when she proceeded on to Lyttelton, arriving shortly before 6 p.m. \ ' --The East Coast steamer Katon,, which left Wellington at 5 p.m. on Saturday, did not arrive in the stream at Lyttelton Until 9.85 last night. AKAfiOA. The first real touch of winter settled down upon Akaroa oyer the week-end. Brokep weather had been experienced for soifie time previously—comparatively mild nor'-weetera, calm sunny days, and sharp southerly equalls. Late on Friday, evening the wind veered suddenly to the south-east, and before long it was blowing with pretty well . the force of a gale. After midnight it increased in fury, and roared, unceasingly. Heavy snowers of rain and hail fell. Daylight showed the upper parts of the ranges around the harbour well streaked with snow. The wintry conditions continued throughout Saturday, with too prospect ot clearing. Reports from some of the Eastern Bays state that there had been a much' heavier fall of snow, reaching in the more exposed localities well down towards the sea. 1 (press association tblbobam.) OAMARTJ, July 24. The continued absence' of rain is causing agriculturists and pastoralists anxiety. The weather has been cold and threatening, but veiry little rain has fallen. The winter is the mildest for years, and willow treea are already bursting into leaf. IN AUSTRALIA. (Received July &4th. 11.50 p.m.) SYDNEY July 24. A heavy rainstorm and gale swept the citv ana coast. Many vessels are sheltering. A number of northern towns are threatened by floods.. A vast area of country is being submerged.