THE WEATHER.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18267, 29 December 1924, Page 8

THE WEATHER.

AN UNSEASONABLE

CHRISTMAS.

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS.

CAMPERS AND FARMERS SUFFER

Up till the present, the 1921 Christmas l*" 011 ha * been one ° f ihe ™° St unpleasant as far as weather conditions arc concerned, which has been experienced in Canterbury for some considerable time. The heavy rain of Friday caused the almost complete abandonment of any form of outdoor amusement. Picnics, sports gatherings and the like set down for Boxing Day were ncarlv all postponed until Saturday. _ Heavv rain continued to fall all Fndav night, and until the early hours of Saturday morning, when the weather cleared to some extent, A tew light showers fell during Saturday morning, but these were nob efficient to cause the complete abandonment of outside Fif^urda?.^^ not a number of W«*g» f g£ enjoying the outings which tucy naci planned for the previous day Shortly after 7 o'clock on batuiday evening a sutiden downpour caught the crowds who were "hound for the various places of amusement, and also a few belated picnickers .who were on their homeward way. For a short time the rain was torrential, but as the evening wore on it ceased altogether and yesterday morning broke beautifully nne. Ihe earlier portion of the day was ideal, but towards rive o'clock the sky became overcast and at 7 p.m. a light shower Besides doing no small amount of harm as far as the postponement of athletic meetings, etc., was concerned, the rain, which seems to have been general all over the province, has played hajvoc with the crops. A considerable quantity of oats in the stook have been drenched by the downpour and cut hay awaiting stacking has been spoiled. There has been a large area of uncut oats and ryegrass on the heavy land flattened, but the rain should assist fruit crops in filling out, and has undoubtedly killed myriads of pests -which played such havoc during the dry season last year. Besides causing damage to crops, etc., the rain lias turnecT some of the country roads over which heavy traffic has been passing into quagmires. Practically right throughout the Province rivers are very high. The rough weather has brought with it exceptionally heaivy seas which have already done no little amount of damage at Sumner. Along the Clifton Bay esplanade near the pier, portion of the tar-sealed surface was threatened at one spot, and on Saturday morning two holes, both about three feet long by six feet wide were discovered near the hot salt-water bath-house. The sand has been cleared away for about five chains from the foundations of the wall, between the pier and the Richmond creek outlet, and the "tow" which was recently constructed to protect another portion will evidently have to be extended.

MAIN SOUTH ROAD.

ORARI BRIDGE DAMAGED. Motorists returning from Timaru to Christcliurch yesterday lost a good deal of time through having to make a divergence at the Orari, where the bridge was found to hnive subsided in the centre. The motor traffic was exceedingly heavy on the Main South road yesterday, and it was estimated that fully 50 cars were held up at the Orari Bridge within an hour. Speaking to a representative of "Thd Press" late last night, on© of the Christcliurch motorists who arrived after a seven and a-half hours' journey? from Timaru, said that it would have helped the waylaid tourists if the local Automobile Association had placed a m«n on duty or had erected a sign near the Orari railway station directing traffic to take the alternative route. To follow this route on© should turn to the left before reaching the approach to the bridge and proceed through at paddock to the Belneld road, which runs on to Orari. The wire fence is* conveniently down, to allow cars to enter the paddock and the field is quite negotiable without the use ol> chains. Apart from the break in the bridge, there is no other obstruction on the road between Christcliurch and Timaru. Speaking lost night on the subject of the damage to the Orari Bridge, Mr J. S. Hawkes, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association, said that motorists could leave the Main road if, instead of crossing the Winchester River, when coming from tho south, they proceeded straight ahead and followed the railway line past the Alford School, turning to the right over the railway line and keeping straight on till the llangitata railway station was reached. Motorists proceeding south from Christohurch should take a sharp turn to tho right after crossing the Rangitata River. At the top of the) terrace a sign would bo found directing the way to tho Belneld road, and that road should be followed to the Rangitata railway station.

ASHBURTON DISTRICT.

MANY CROPS RUINED,

(special to "the mess.") ASHBUETOX, December 27. "Wet weather conditions at Ashburton continued unceasingly throughout Friday night and broke about 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, with a result that for the-24 hours, ending at 9 a.m., 1.15 inches were recorded. Ac Preadeagle 2.6 inches fell between 9 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday. Frequent showers were experienced during the afternoon of Saturday, but comparatively little fell. The Ashburton river was running bank to bank at the traffic bridge and extensive damage was reported along its banks. At "Winchmore the river burst its banks and many paddocks were over two feet under water. A similar incident occurred at Digby's bridge, where motorists had to pass through two feet of water before getting on to the bridge. Several crops were ruined, and in one particular case only the heads of stock were to be seen'projecting above the flood. Many paddocks of grass-seed arc completely ruined and

it is doubtful whether sonic of the wheat crop s will rise again. Reports were u> hand on Saturday that all traffic from Tiinaru. except by road. wns stopped ami that the water in the main" street at Teimika had reached the Fo>t Office steps.

A FAMILY MAROONED

PLUCKY RESCUER REWARDED

'rSRSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

ASH BURTON, December 27

A heavy, continuous rain, over a period of forty hours, caused almost a record flood in Ashburton river, which b'roke its banks in several places, inundating extensive areas and isolating farmhouses.

An exciting rescue of a marooned familv was witnessed near the Ashburton golf links. Mr Thomas Jackson, his wife and child, of Auckland, and also an old age pensioner, were in camp on the river before it had broken its banks and thev were surrounded by the flood waters. ' A Timvald resident, George Wesley, mounted a draught liorse aim negotiated the flood. After a treacherous ride, ho returned with the woman and child, and then brought the men to safety. About ono hundred people who witnessed the rescue, made tangible recognition of Wesley's Bravery. Twenty lioliday campers on the riverbank were forced to make a hurried exodus in the middle of the night, the river risincr over six inches in an hour.

Gras s a"d grass-seed crops throughout the country were extensively damaged. Several bridges were damaged and a number of roads made impassable. Theoldest residents in the higher country state that the rainfall was the heaviest tbev have experienced.

Unless the rain ceases the main south road will be closed to traffic.

Our correspondent telephoned at a late hour last night that the flood water of the Ashburton river had receded about seven feet. IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

CONDITIONS IN TIMARU

(srzcuL to "thb psbss.") TDLVRU, December 27. Saturday brought little improvement in the weather conditions in Timavu. There was a light smith-easterly wind, and the sky remained overcast, but with the exception of one or two light showers, little rain fell during the day. Most of the rivers in the country districts are in flood as a result of Fridiiv's rain.

An easterly shift of wind brought a marked improvement in the weather today. The day was warm and fairly clear, and patches of blue sky, which made their appearance yesterday afternoon, seemed to presage a spell of fine weather.

WAIHAO CHANGES COURSE.

RISING WATERS CAUSE ALARM.

(SPECIAL TO "TBI PHBSS.")

WAIMATE, December 27

Not for years past has W annate experienced such unseasonable Christmas weather. Following an overcast Christmas Eve and Christinas Day, rain began to fall heavily on the evening of Christmas Day from the north-east and continued almost continuously. Waimate would appear to have escaped lightly. Only 166 points are recorded for the 72 hours. Torrential rain must have fallen on the hills. There were 292 points recorded at Stonewall in 48 hours. This makes a total of 665 points for the month, which is certainly exceptional for the time of the year. The tremendous downpour in such a short space of time had an effect on all creeks and rivers, most of which are bank to bank. The Waifcaki is very high and dirty, but the Waihao is in record flood. Evidently there have been torrential rains at Pentland Hills. At 5 o'clock yesterday the river was running bank to bank and wsis continuing to "rise with alarming rapidity, and it eventually broke its banks. At the Waihno Forks Hotel the river altered its course by about 400 yards and was running in two main streams through a paddock at the back of the hotel, the water reaching up to the outbuildings of the hotel. From present indications it would appear extremely unlikely that the river will return to its old course. At "Willowbridge the river is higher than it has been for many years. There was about eix feet of water on the road on the Willowbridge side of Bradshaw Crossing. Here, again, the river burst its hanks. Luckily the break out was open and the river got a clear run out to the sea, otherwise the farmers lower down must have suffered eeverely. At Waihaorunga it has been raining heavily since Christmas night and the creeks are running bank to bank. Considerable dama.ge has been done to crops, which have been laid low by the downpour. It is feared that the losses of stock in the district may be heavy, as shearing was in progress. A considerable nrea of agricultural land; has been scoured by flood water in this district.

Apparently the heavy rain was confined to the back hills.

At Morven the Wailiao River caused concern. It to within 20 inches of the record flood of 1908. At midday to-<lay there were 4ft of water between the two bridges on the Main road, which has boon made impassable for traffic.

The railway bridge does not appear to have suffered any damage. It is,. nevertheless, being carefully -watched, the train slowing ut> when crossing. The crops in the Slovven district arc seriously affected, and further ruin is bound to do a great deal of damage.

HEAVY RAIN AT OAMARU.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAU.)

OAMARU, December 'SI.

Persistent rain has fallen here since Friday night, and the Kakanui river, in high flood, overflowed the road at Maheno, and rendered it impassable for motors.

FINE WEATHER IN DUNEDIN

(PRESS ASSOCIATION- TELEGRAM.)

DUXEDIST, December 28. Owing to heavy ra in, Saturday finals of the Christmas bowling tournament were postponed. The attendance at the Wingatui races was affected. After showery weather practically all the past week, with the exception of Wednesday, it is bright and tine to-dav

CONTINUOUS RAIN AT ROTORUA

(PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 TELXGRAM.) ROTORUA, December 27. Heavy rain has been falling for the ]last tju hours. Threo indies of rain were recorded up to noon ou Saturdav.

WAIHI IN FLOOD.

CAR SWEPT DOWNSTREAM

iicavy rain came on before dark on Thursday and eon tinned vwth hardly a break till Saturday morning, tour inches having fallen since Monday (writes our Geraldine correspondent). Boxing Day was so wet- and depressing thatmany hugged the fireside, but a good nianv motorists ventured forth. Quite a number of them got caught whole the storm waters had filled depressions. Mr B. Tripp hud to leave his oar in the Peel Forest district, and Mrs Bunion, of "Parkhwst." was even more unfortunate. She had occasion to motor to W'cwlburr by way ot tho recently erected bridge over tho »")\ ' but on'attempting to rocross ilie bridge about an hour later on Iter way homo there was a raging torrent round the approach to the bridge, and in this torrent the car was caught, and nearly washed downstream. Airs. Burden succeeded in escaping from tlio car ana gaining firm ground, and an attempt was tlieu made to drag the cflr out oi the stream, but without success, and the ear was left for the night i On Saturday morning, however, the car had disappeared, it having, been washed downstream during tho night. On the Geraldine-Orari road the Waihi Kiver had become so swollen that much low-lying land became submerged, and the residence of Air A. Lvsaght was flooded to such an extent that tno family had to leave and take shelter with friends. The approach to tho traffic bridge at Geraldine had been damaged by tho flood, and the Victoria Bridge, over the Orari River is again reported damaged, but the extent is not at present ascertainable. Damage to Crops. The Christmas of 1924 will long be remembered for the weather experienced, for it was as bad for holidaymaking as it could well be. There was a short, heavy rain on Sunday, and on Monday morning a thunderstorm, with hail and rain, continued all the forenoon in the north-western part of the district, especially on the Four Peaks and Mount Peel ranges, and during the afternoon it worked its way along the ranges northward. The rain set iu on the plains in the afternoon, and a heavy fall took place, which continued until next morning. The total fall in the northern, end of the district amounted to over two inches, but it was much heavier along the hills. Christmas morning was fairly fine, but in the afternoon rain again set in, and at the time of writing (Friday forenoon) it still continues without signs of abating. Well over an inch must have fallen since Thursday. The wind has been mainly from the north-east or south-east. The rivers are in flood, and those people who have gone to their river camps on the Opihi and elsewhere for fishing are not having a very enjoyable time. Those who have let their town houses to friends for the holidays are in worse plight, for they cannot very well get home. The weather will cause considerable damage to grain crops, and it is reported that they are badly laid. Oats in stook will be well soaked, and will require a good drying wind to save them. The hay that has- been cut and not in cocks will be badly spoilt. Shearing has been out of tho question for the last fortnight or more, otherwise this week's rain would have been disastrous to newly-shorn sheep. As it is, it will be severe upon those shorn before the weather broke.

The season has turned out a very disappointing one, after promising so well for bountiful crops. The continued wet weather will also give lambs a setback.

CAMPERS FLOODED OUT.

Heavy rain in the back-country on Friday caused a sudden rise in the Opihi river on Friday night, with tho result that, towards midnight, a number of campers occupying huts near tho river bank at Milford found themselves being surrtunded by the flood-waters, and had to make a hasty evacuation. In several instances the water was two or three feet deep over the floors of the huts. Cars, gigs, and other vehicles were requisitioned at short notice to convey their owners back to Timaru, but in some cases it was not possible to get tho cars through owing to wash-outs on the road. The Paroora river was also in high flood, and at least ono hut was reported to have been surrounded by a ten-foot depth of water.

Our Mayfleld correspondent ■writes:— The weather on the morning of Christmas Day was dull and overcast, giving slight indication of the approach of the "disturbance" predicted by "The Press" in the weather forecast of Wednesday. At midday on Thursday a steady but light rain set in, becoming progressively worse until Friday afternoon, when, driven by a vigorous north-east wind, tho drizzle developed into a soaking downpour, which lasted throughout the night. Numbers of cars loaded with camping requisites were seen speeding south along the Christehurch-Timaru Toad on Thursday morning; the same cars speeded north again early the following day. Favourite picnicking grounds were turned into morasses; Peel Forest was described as under water. The Mayfleld district has very rarely presented such a i desolate and forlorn appearance, the heavy rain compelling the abandon- ( ment of every outdoor activity. At midnight on Friday there was no sign of, improvement, and local residents declare it has been the most depressing Christmas on record.

IN THE COUNTRY. Following on the wet weather experienced early in the week, a drizzling rain again set in at Sheffield on Christmas Day about midday, and settled down to a steady rain about the middle of the afternoon, and continued until Saturday morning, two hundred and thirty points falling (writes our correspondent). The rain completely spoilt the holidays for all except a few wise ones who took the excursion train to Otira on Boxing Day, and spent a very enjoyable time. The total rainfall to date for December has been six hundred and fifty-three points. Much fresh crop has been laid, and th~o conditions at present are very favourable to the rust, being muggy and still threatening rain. The weather at Kinvce on Christmas Day was very unfavourable for holidaymaking, being very cold and gloomy. Rain came on about 5 p.m., and continued till noon on Friday. Fifty-four points were registered, with rain still falling. The wind has been blowing strongly from the cast. The holiday to-day has been completely spoilt by the weather, and it is to be hoped that next week may make amends by bcin<» finer. Some oats were carted in on Christmas Day, but it will now be a few days before carting can again be gone on with. The nor'easterly rain that set in at Akaroa on Christmas evening lasted well on into Saturday" afternoon (writes our correspondent ). Boxin<* Day was extremely wet, the rain pour

ing down in -torrents practically the J| whole day. Tli© ground is thoroughly j| saturated, and the creeks are running "•■I high. The excessive rainfall during -4 the past few weeks is giving farmers < I some concern as to their cocksfoot crops. There is an abundance ot'M growth in the paddocks—too much #f V J the wrong sort in some cases: fog, teres, and so forth—but tho frequent drench* | ing rains, so prevalent of late, are conducive, at this stage, to the development of the' best seed. If the weather holds up now, and is followed by bright gj sunny days, culling should commence in the lower paddocks in about a fort- -S night's time. irj The weather for the holidays has far been iinpropitious. Christmas DIJT.?!I was a bleak, cloudy day (write# oar *3 correspondent), with a coll jj easterly wind, accompanied by scattering showers. Picnickers were dUWr, j pointed, and something in tho natfUV % of the Homeland Christmas, indoors fl with a welcome Are, was perforce Cft* •|| joyed. On Boxing Day the itrWf J north-past wind brought heavy, fj mitto'nt showers of rain, making second holiday disappointing for any '4 wanting to spend the day out of All streams and storm-water ehaMMS*J| are flooded. ( RANGIORA. I The rain, which had eased off on Fri* .J day afternoon, came down again |j tho night, but cased off on Saturw JJ morning. The day was fine up tjtf Jg five o'clock, when heavy rain again Farmers are now becoming very anxioosMjl and unless tho weather takes up itt®*|ffl diately there will be a good deal Clm grass-seed lost, and much damage wiSIM be done to the oat crops, which affJH exceptionally heavy this year. _ " reported that the Ashley Bivcr is high, and causing somo anxiety to t>MH settlers on the low lands. ■. Jg CLARENCE RIVEB. '|J Mr J. S. Hawkes. secretary of Canterbury Automobile Association Mpfß received word that the Clarence punt will not be in working order h»»j¥ J Wednesday. Parties are held up "g ;J| along the line, and aecoomodfcUp# J unprocurable. •Ji SYDNEY SOAKED. •' (BY CABLE —TKESS ASSOCIATION—COMMg&vjBL (avstrauak akd j».z. cable (Eeccived December —Sth, s.tf p mm SYDNEY, December Rain marred all sports to-da caused many postponements of