TOO MUCH RAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 155, 29 December 1936, Page 8

TOO MUCH RAIN

DECEMBER'S RECORD

A SPOILT HOLIDAY

Any real or fancied deficiency *in December's rainfall as far as Wellington is concerned was thoroughly made up yesterday. Light rain was falling in the early part of the morning, but as the day progressed the precipitation became something much more unpleasant than merely light rain. It developed into continuous driving squalls of heavy rain which thoroughly soaked those who were unfortunate enough to be exposed to it. Miniature rivers flowed along some of the streets during the afternoon and conditions generally in the city were about as unpleasant as possible. In the evening, after nearly an inch of rain had fallen, the weather improved somewhat.

As many people were still away for ithe holiday, the city yesterday was comparatively deserted, and only those who were compelled by circumstances braved the elements. It is an ill wind, however, that blows nobody any good, and taxis yesterday reaped a harvest. So also did the picture theatre proprietors, for any outside amusements or recreations were out of the question. As the. rain was general and not confined, to' the city, holidaymakers, and especially campers, had a most unpleasant time, and if the clerk of the weather had been listeningin he would have buried his head in shame. *

The Christmas holiday of 1936 will go down in history as one spoilt to a considerable extent by fickle weather. There has been some fine and summerlike weather, but not much, but this has been more than counterbalanced by rain, and heavy rain at that. The general type of weather has been unsettled, depressions following each other with but comparatively slight anticyclones between them. , Apparently no sooner does one depression depart eastward and get out of effective range than another comes chasing across the Tasman Sea. Now that amicable trade relations have been established between New Zealand and Australia with reference to oranges, it is time that some intimation was given our neighbours across the Tasman that New Zealand does not want Australia's cast-off depressions. At present there are no signs that the weather intends to settle down to any lengthy spell of real summer weather. A WET MONTH. December at one time gave promise of settling down to good weather, and there was quite a good spell which raised the hopes of those contemplating a holiday at Christmas. However, before the holiday period arrived the weather broke, and although it cleared again just before Christmas it was not for long, and Christmas Day itself was miserably wet. Then another clearance, and again a wet day yesterday. Clearing again today ready for another wet spell at the New Year, says the pessimist, while the optimist persuades himself that at last the weather is really turning the historic corner and that round it is summer. Whatever the future holds in store, the December of the current year will be listed in meteorological records as a distinctly wet one, with the rain chiefly coming at the wrong end of the month. The average fall at Kelburn during December is 2.93 in. Before yesterday's deluge this figure had already been exceeded, 3.21 in having been recorded. Yesterday's fall totalled 83 points, so the-month's total is now 4.04 in. , , ■ FLOODS AND SLIPS. The heavy rain which .was experienced yesterday in the country caused flooded rivers, but with improved conditions setting in last, night nothing very serious has been reported.. The road leading to the Rangiora motor camp was flooded for a time, and the campers isolated, but the water receded last night. There were floods, too, around Otaki, where the river was running very high.

Levin and other parts of the country along the west coast between Wellington and Palmerston North experienced steady rain and generally unpleasant conditions yesterday. Road traffic was dislocated for a lime on the main highway between Otaki and Manakau because of bad scouring to the southern approach to the Waitohu Bridge, about one mile north of Otaki. Temporary repairs were effected late yesterday afternoon, and traffic can now use the road at that point with extreme caution. While the road was blocked all vehicles had to detour round the Manakau South route. ' The unsettled weather has prevented any speedy clearance of the extensive slips on the Akatarawa Road, and this road is still closed for traffic. On other country roads there have been several minor slips and wash-outs, necessitating extra vigilance and care on the part of holiday motorists.