THE WEATHER.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 31, 7 February 1899, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

The heavy rainfall Avhich set in on Sunday morning still shoAvs no signs of ceasing. Yesterday afternoon and evening the rain cleared off somewhat, and the registered rainfall for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. this morning Avas less than one inch — namely, .83 of an inch, Avhich, though heavy enough, is a large falling off when compared with the record of the previous 24 hours. Since 9 o'clock to-day, lioavever, the downpour has set in in real earnest again, greatly to the detriment of city business and Avharf traffic, and also, it is to be feared, Avith serious consequences in the country dis"trcts. Miniature floods have occurred in different parts of the city and at one time there Avas quite a .respect-able-sized lake covering the Avhole of the footpath and a portion of the road in front of the Government Buildings. To-day's Aveather chart shows that the weather continues showery over most of the country between the northern part of the South Island and Auckland, and the barometer is still falling. Up to the time we went to press no damage had been done to thje Manawatu Railway or the Wellington- Wairarapa line. The Railway Department has been advised that a bridge at Waitotara, Avhich was thought to be shaky, has been found to be quite\safe, and there has been no interruption of the traffic. Shipping movements are quite blocked, and traffic on the Avharves is suspended. The steamers Moa and Waverley, which left Greymouth and Nelson on Sunday afternoon, did not put in an appearance until this morning. The Waverley sought shelter in Waitui Bay and the Moa in Cabbage Bay, oAving to the nasty southeast gale, big sea, and thick weather in the Strait. Shortly after noon the Rotorua sailed for Picton and Nelson, but on reaching the Pinnacles, Captain Spence found there was too much sea for the vessel to make any headway, and therefore came back to an anchorage in Worser Bay. The signalmen report a very heavy sea at the Heads. Captain Post, of the Tutanekai, has had to defer his departure for the Bluff until daylight to-morroAv morning. A nasty sea was running off Sinclair Head when Captain Worrall, of the Wainui, passed there this morning. At a late hour this afternoon it Avas stated the Te Anau, Flora, and Warrimoo Avould definitely get aAvay, but the other vessels are unlikely to sail before to-morrow. The immense cellar below the Government Buildings is full of water, which has run into it from Lambton-quay, and outside the entrances to the southern wing there is tAVo feet of Avater At half-past 3 this afternoon Avord reached our office that there was no unusual volume of Avater in the Hutt River, considering the weather, and a flood was not expected. [by telegraph— own correspondent.] Cahterton, This Day. Rain still continues, and the low-lying lands at Dalefield and South Carterton are under Avater. .Marton, This Day. The heavy rainfall Avhioh commenced on Sunday afternoon continued till late last night. The rivers are in high flood, but no special damage is reported. This morning broke fine but overcast, and it now gives promise of clearing. Masterton, This Day. The weather is very cold and rain is still falling. Between 9 o'clock on Monday and 9 o'clock this morning 2"26 inches rain fell in Masterton, making a total of 697 inches since 2 o'clock on Sunday. An even heavier fall has been registered in some parts of the district.