GALE AT AUCKLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 January 1939, Page 5

GALE AT AUCKLAND

SMALL CRAFT WEATHERBOUND

HOLIDAYMAKERS UNABLE TO RETURN HOME MISERABLE ANNIVERSARY DAY (United Prcmi AMociaiinul AUCKLAND. 30th January. With small craft forced to shelter and excursion steamer services disorganised by heavy seas, hundreds of holi-day-makers were unable to return 1o the city from Waiheke. Kawau and other outlying resorts in the Hauraki Gulf to-day. A strong easterly gale i forced back one steamer and left dozens jof yachts and launches weatherbound ' at distant anchorages. When shops and offices in the city reopen in the morning after the Anniversary Day holiday their staffs are likely to be depleted to the extent of at least several hundred people* Eighteen launches and three yachts lay within the sheltered waters of ManI sion House Bay. Kawau, to-night, while a fierce gale raged outside. Several boats which attempted to return to Auckland were forced back and about 100 people are virtually stranded till conditions moderate. Buffetted by heavy seas in an exposed stretch of water between Matiatia and Kawau, the excusion steamer Duchess was obliged to return to Matiatia early in the afternoon. The vessel cleared Matiatia on time, but in view of the fact that few passengers were on board she returned to the shelter of the port. Between 40 and 50 people were awaiting transport from Kawau to centres on the mainland. When conditions failed to moderate during the morning their hopes of a passage to Auckland were reduced, but shortly after midday they embarked on a passenger launch which, in spite of the high seas, made the comparatively short run to the sandspit near Warkworth. From there they proceeded to Auckland by road. Owners of weekend baches in Waiheke were also affected. In the teeth of the gale the steamer Onewa took three hours on her voyage from Auckland to Ostend in the morning and with conditions enforcing a reduced complement of passengers for the return trip she was able to carry only 116 of more than 300 people who were awaiting transport to the city. The remaining 200 holiday-makers returned disconsolately to their baches at One-' tangi and Palm Beach. After four hours of slow steaming the Kaipatiki arrived at Ostend at 4.30 p.m. and returned to Auckland witli about 30 people who had remained on the wharf. The Onewa made a second trip to Ostend to-night and weather permitting, she will leave in the morning for Auckland. Conditions were at their worst at about midday in the eastern section of the gulf and even when proceeding :n the lee of Waiheke vessels received a severe buffetting. The seas modera*ed in the afternoon but the gale again freshened in the evernng and boats returning to Auckland were at times almost hidden by flying spray. HEAVY RAINFALLS Steady rain carried by the easterly wind that rose to gale force at times drenched the greater part of the Auckland province to-day. Both north and south of Auckland exceptionally heavy falls were reported and though there was no record of flooding the water was beginning to encroach on some low-lying sections of the roads in the north to-night, and a continuation of the downpour was expected to result in some of the routes being blocked. Campers and holiday-makers met with intense discomfort.

The rain was welcomed by farmers, but it caused a postponement of the Auckland anniversary regatta for the first time on record and prevented the holding of other important sporting fixtures, spoiling the holiday for thousands of people. A gale in the Tasman Sea has resulted in delays to shipping bound for Auckland. The Huddart Parker liner Wanganella which was due in Auckland to-morrow from Sydney reported that strong headwinds would delay her arrival till eight o’clock on Wednesday morning.

| Miserable conditions prevailed in the city. People who ventured out, even in closed motor-cars, found travelling unpleasant and any effort to seek fresh air out of doors resulted in a thorough wetting. There were long queues vi most of the city picture theatres. The unfavourable weather interfered with the sheep fairs. The steamer Pakura was unable to call at Hicks Bay to pick up a consignment of 2600 east coast ewes and as a result the Coromandel sheep fair which was to have taken place to-morrow has been postponed.