THE WEATHER.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 33, 9 February 1899, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

The return to something like summer weather will no doubt be fully appreciated after the experience of the past few days. Judging from the weather chart published this morning, the improvement is general throughout the greater part of the colony. The steamers Charles Edward, from Nelson, and Aorere, from Patea and Opunake, arrived in port shortly before we went to press yesterday. Their officers report severe weathec in the Strait, which compelled them to anchor in Ohau Bay for several hours. Early this morning the Omapere, for Westport, Tutanekai, for Bluff, and Poherua, for Westport (from Worser Bay), got under way, and were able to clear the Heads, though in the face of a nasty sea. At a later hour the Opawa, for Blenheim, negotiated the entrance, but the JPania, bound for the same port, gave in after reaching the lighthouse, and returned to the wharf. Captain Nordstruin, of the Huupiri, only left Wellington for the Golden West Coast at midnight on Saturday, and he was hopeful af getting back about 6 or 7 o'clock last evening, which would have been almost a record. His hopes were dashed to the ground, for on getting well up to Terawhiti the gale raged with exceptional severity, so much so that tho vessel was unable to make the slightest headway, and Captain Nordstrum had no alternative but to seek shelter under Long Island at 6 p.m., and remain there until 4.30 this morning. A big sea was still running in the Strait when he crossed this morning. Captain Nordstrum reports a topsail schooner and ketch hoye-to in the Strait last night and again this morning , also the Wairoa, bound from Motueka to Wellington, at anchor in Cabbage Bay Even the powerful Rotomahana could nob get out last night. Captain Manning went to Worser Bay, and stayed there until 4.30 this morning. Captain Spence, of the Rotorua, found a tremendous sea off Tory Channel. The Tarawera, which left Sydney at 8 p.m. on Saturday, arrived shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon. Her long passage is not surprising in view of the severe weather she would encounter in crossing the Tasman Sea. As there are 20 horses on deck, it is likely that Captain Smith would deem it expedient to heave-to so as to avoid losing any of the animals. The Manawatu Standard- hears on all sides unfavourable reports of the damage done to the crops by the recent heavy rainfall, many acres of corn now being rendered almost worthless.

[BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Cheistchtjech, Bth February. The heavy south-west gale which has been blowing all day continues unabated to-night, with heavy rain. The shipping at Lyttelton has been suspended. Invercaegill, Bth February. The weather down here is good, with a cold southerly breeze blowing. [by telegeaph — own correspondent.] Masterton, This Day. The rainfall at Masterton from Sunday to 9 o'clock this moruing was 8*66 inches. At Rangitumau 917 inches fell in the same time.