IN THE TASMAN SEA

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 287, 4 September 1928, Page 11

IN THE TASMAN SEA

UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER YESTERDAY’S FORECAST The fullest information regarding the weather conditions in New Zealand and the Tasman Sea is being supplied to Sydney by Dr. E. Kidson, Dominion Meteorologist. He pointed out yesterday that it was not for him to offer any advice as to whether a start should be made with the flight or not. All he could do was to give the Government Meteorologist and the aviators in Sydney information as to exact conditions prevailing and'a forecast of what the weather was likely to be. At present the meteorological conditions considering the season of the year, were not likely to be as good as when the illfated attempt of Moncrieff and .Hood was made, but they were as good as it was reasonable to expect. The intense depression passing over the Tasman Sea during the week-end was still in evidence to some extent in the south-eastern part of the Tasman Sea yesterday morning, although it had largely passed clear of New Zealand to the eastward. Information received at 9 o’clock yesterday morning showed that a cyclone was centred to the south-west of Norfolk Island, and that unsettled weather with rain and strong east to north winds were probable over the,North Island. Valuable reports from a number of ships when plotted on the meteorological chart clearly showed the presence of the cyclone. About 300 miles north of Norfolk Island the tanker Plume (bound from California to Australia) reported a light westerly breeze, blue sky. a moderate sea au.l a south-west swell, the barometer reading being 29.76. About 400 miles to the eastward of Norfolk Island the Makalla reported light north-north-east wind, and heavy rain; barometer, 29.95. The Ulimaroa, a nay’s steam from Auckland on her way from Sydney, reported light north-east wind, slight confused sea, overcast and raining, barometer 29.75. The Marama and Maheno, bound to Sydney from Wellington and Auckland respectively, both about a day’s steam from the Australian coast, reported light south-west winds, blue sky, smooth sea, with moderate south-west swell. The Nauru Chief east-north-east of Newcastle reported similar wind and sea, but the weather was cloudy and showery. There was a misty rain at Sydney and it was showery at Jervis Bay at 9 a.m. Based on the above reports and New Zealand conditions. Dr. Kidson sent the following forecast at noon yesterday to the Government Meteorologist at Sydney:— Cyclone centred south-west of Norfolk Island. Unsettled weather with rain .id strong east to north winds probable over North Island. Probably fine on West Coast of South Island, but may be overcast bn east coast. Conditions will be disturbed in northern Tasman Sea with freshening east to north winds in north-east and southerlies iu north-west portion. Weather may be mainly fair to fine in central Tasman • between cyclone in north and westerlies in south, bijt with considerable cloud and passing showers in patches. Winds variable with south-east to southwest prevailing. Fresh to strong westerlies in southern Tasman. At. 6 p.m. Dr. Kidson sent the following further forecast: — Conditions as described in morning forecast, but more cloudy in

New Zealand than expected, and some danger of cyclone moving southward. When news of the further postponement. of the flight, was received last evening, Dr. Kidson expressed the view that the postponement would probably he a good deal longer than twentyfour hours in view of the weather conditions. PROBABLE ROUTE OVER SOUTHERN ALPS According to the New Zealand Air Force officers at the Wigram aerodrome, Christchurch, it is expected that the Southern Cross will Uy a practically straight route from Sydney to Christchurch over the Southern Alps, and will not come via Cook Strait, unless the weather is too cloudy over the mountains. The former course represents ati air line distance of J 1(47 nautical miles, or 1314 land miles. The distance from Sydney to Greymouth is 107." nautical miles, and from Greymouth to Christchurch 02 nautical mites. A straight line drawn on the chart from Sydney to Christchurch passes between Gre.vmouth and Hokitika.