Nearly 3 Inches Of Ram In 13 Hours

Northern Advocate, 5 April 1947, Page 4

Nearly 3 Inches Of Ram In 13 Hours

HEAVY rain thi’oughout Northland spoiled the Easter festival for sportsmen and holidaymakers alike. In Whangarei yesterday afternoon the wind turned to the south-east, blowing up heavy black storm clouds until, at about 4 p.m., sharp showers presaged a coming storm. Throughout the late afternoon and night the rain fell almost continuously and at times the sound of the drops beating on corrugated iron roofs was like the roar of surf.

This spelt “finish” for many holidaymakers who intended visiting beaches for the week-end and also for sportsmen who had arranged matches with visiting teams or tournaments.

night .75in had fallen and so cold was the weather that many people lit fires for the first time this year. The minimum temperature recorded during the day was 52.5 degrees, although the barometic pressure commenced to rise last night. This morning the inclement weather continued, with occasional heavy showers, interspersed with light rain.

This morning the tide, backed by the strong southerly wind, spread in places inches deep over fiats on the Gnerahi road. At the Town Basin water overflowed the embankment in places to spread half-way over Quay Road.

Auckland has had a notably bad run of Easter weather. In the last 22 years 13 Easter festivals have been marred by rain. A heavy hail storm occurred at Ruatangata yesterday afternoon, bringing a temporary and rapid decline in temperatures. For the 24 hours ended at 9 o’clock this morning, 1.46 in of rain was re r gistered on Mr E. S. Tremaine's gauge. For the previous 24-hour period .04in was recorded. Mr Tremaine said today that, the rain had been completely absorbed by the dry soil and no water was to be seen lying about the surface. AT WAIRUA FALLS • At the Wairua Falls power station the rainfall was considerably less, only .57ir: being recorded to 8 o’clock today. The Jail for the previous 24 hours was .05in. The power station was producing at half capacity yesterday, the output x, being between 1400 and 1500 k.w. The river was rising this morning and the full effects of the rain will not be felt until the water commences to drain from the catchment area. No reports of flooding or slips have been received in Whangarei, although motorists report that driving has been difficult owing to the greasiness of the roads and poor, visibility caused by the heavy 1 All services are functioning on their Easter timetables, and the Auckland plane arrived in Whangarei and departed for Kaikohe at its appointed times.

In residential parts of Whangarei the deluge blocked culverts and stormwater drains, so that sheets of water stretched across the pavements seeking escape in front gardens and under fences. Streams, gutters and ditches were running bank high, as the ground was thoroughly saturated by the rain. At fi a.m. this morning the fall was 2.56 in for 24 hours; and the temperature 57 degrees, the coldest for some time. However, the barometer, which registered 29.95 on Thursday and yesterday, had risen to 30.00, indicating better weather. Between 8.30 a.m. and 9 a.m. this morning, .Olin was recorded, and from 9 o’clock until 11 a.m. a further ,12in fell. MADE FOR SHELTER Numerous yachts and launches made their way down the harbour yesterday morning under ideal conditions, which promised well for a pleasant Easter cruise, but the sudden wind which sprang up from an easterly quarter put an end to comfort, bringing with it a short and severe chop. Sheltered bays were immediately sought.

At Onerahi, where the full force of the wind was felt, owners of small craft had an anxious and difficult time making their craft secure and hauling them well above the high-water mark. This was eventually accomplished without any damage, but not a few enthusiasts received duckings during the process. In Auckland the rain started at about 11 a.m., keeping up the city’s dismal record of wet Easters. By mid-

The Post and Telegraph Department experienced a little trouble from line breakages this morning, but they have had no difficulty in repairing the damage.