A WILD NIGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 January 1929, Page 4

A WILD NIGHT

DAMAGE ON WEST COAST.

In sudden contrast to the conditions which have ruled during the past week, a storm raged along the (West Coast last night, bringing some of the wildest samples of weather experienced for a considerable time. The Government Meteorologist predicted heavy rain and electrical disturbances, and proved to be a true prophet, as he usually does so far as the West Coast is concerned.

The atmosphere was very humid all day yesterday, and as the hours passed it became more and more obvious that a storm was brewing. The wind veered to the north-west, itself a sign of rain, and, after a few showers in the evening, the storm broke in earnest during the night. Tire wind reached almost gale force, heavy rain fell, and thunder and lightning added their quota. For the twenty-four hours ended at nine o’clock , this morning, nearly an inch of rain was recorded at Greymouth, the exact amount being 95 points. Considerable damage was done to gardens, flowers and shrubs being battered and torn in all directions, while many weak fences proved unequal to the strain imposed upon them by the wind. The storm was short and sharp, and this morning broke fine and sunny, although the atmosphere is still humid, and further heavy rain and electrical disturbances are predicted. The chief damage appears to have been done to the road over the Otira Gorge, between Otira and Arthur’s Pass Three slips are reported, and as a result the road will be closed to traffic for about a week. Nowadays, with the Otira tunnel always open, the closing of the road is not a, serious matter, except to the tourists. In pretunnel days, the closing of the Gorge road meant the holding up of traffic to and from the Coast until the slips were cleared.

Damage was also caused by the storm to the Main South Road, which is reported to have been washed out near Ivlatainui, South Westland- It* is understood, however, that the service cars to and from Waiho were able to get through to-day. No damage is reported in the Grey County.

CHRISTCHURCH WEATHER

FINE DAY AT LAST*

(Special to “Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 10.

After tantalisingly alternating between sunshine and shower for several days, the weather appears to have become fine at last. It has not yet been real holiday weather since Christmas when rain fell and lasted, till January 4. After a brief period of brilliant sunshine on the morning of January 5, thunder clouds came up from the south bringing heavy downpour, since which alternate south and east winds have brought rain and threats of rain. There is a deep vigorous depression to the west of N.Z., says the Meteorologist, which depression is going to remove some depression left over Christchurch by the spoilt holidays. It brought a gentle nor’ west breeze at five o’clock yesterday, ;and a still warm night. This morning, the air was still nor’west, and its balminess drew crowds of picnickers from the suburbs to the Square, then to the hills, and beaches by the Sumner trams. A very large crowd had assembled by a quarter to eleven. Brilliant with groups in summer frocks, six car loads went at 10.15, six more at 10.45. It is a curious thing that although the Traffic Officer was prepared to run a quarter of an hour service passengers cling to the timetable. On the New Brighton line, three car loads were going every twenty minutes. The traffic to North Beach was also heavy.

On Wednesday, a light nor’wester gave indications of what was to follow, the night was close and warm, which is a decided change from what the city has learned to expect during the past month. By morning, the wind was still blowing. Although it had increased slightly in strength, it brought forth much condemnation from office workers, and for those employed in less congenial occupations. The heat increased throughout the morning into the afternoon, when the highest temperature this summer was recorded at 2.30 o’clock 83 degrees. The thermometer hovered round that point until late in the afternoon. Throughout the day there was very little sunshine, the sky at most times being clouded over. At lunch time

many people took advantage of the

shade and coolness along the banks of the Avon, which was about "the

coolest place in the city.