Mangonui News METEOROLOGICAL

Northland Age, Volume 15, Issue 31, 9 May 1946, Page 1

Mangonui News METEOROLOGICAL

For over a week a strong north-1 east wind ' reaching gale force atfl times, has swept Mangonui Harbour! and Doubtless Bay. ■ Heavy rain squalls accompanied it and conditions on the harbour were most unpleasant, necessitating a constant watch on all craft, some oi which (filled partly with rain water) swamped, and one launch broke from its moorings and grounded at high water, but no damage was sustained and it was jacked beck into the water again. v The rainfall for April constituted a record for as far back as can bd ascertained, being 14.07 inches. The next highest record was in January, 1936, when 10 inches fell. Since the first of the present month 4.15 inches fell, making a total of 18.22 inches for five weeks. | All fishing has been at a standstill, | as there arf heavy seas in the Bay. Owing also to the weather there has been no cargo boat since before Easter and businesses are out of some staple lines and very ’short in others, and the vessel is eagerly awaited. SHOOTING In spite of the inclement weather some shooting parties were out up the Oruaiti River after ducks. Messrs A. Rayner and J. Wrathall bagged eight ducks on the first day, and Mr. R. Marchant four. The heavy rains had caused the birds to scatter, as plenty of new feeding ponds were created. ARCHBISHOP VISITS MANGONUI There was an influx of ecclesiastical visitors to Mangonui last when Archbishop West-Watson of Christchurch, together with Bishop Simkin of Auckland, the Bishop of Aotearoa (Bishop Bennet), Arehcea-' con Preeble and the fhancellor of the Diocese arrived. They were on their way to consecrate a Maori Church on the Rangiawhia Peninsula, Accompanying them were Rev, Adams of Kaitaia and Rev. CollardIScruby of Dargaville and several of the Native Clergy. A service was held in St. Andrew’s Church on Wednesday evening, the Archbishop, Bishops and Clergy taking part. After the service there was a gathering in the Hall of parishioners and residents to welcome the distinguished visitors. Mr. L. 11. Bell of Kaitaia also extended a welcome. The wind was howling and the rain descending when Archbishop WestWatson arose to reply, and in his 1 opening words he jocularly remarked that the Northern folk departed at' times from the exact truth when they! described the Northern Peninsula as the “Winterless North.” He assured them, however, that thx warmth oi their welcome made up for the unkindness of the- elements. Bishop Simkin also spoke, as did Bi.-hop Bennet and Archdeacon Preeble. A sumptuous hand-round supper was provided by the ladies of the parish, while an informal chat wad carried on between the visitors and the residents. As the party had to leave for Tokerau Beach at 3 o’clock on Thursday morning they retired at 11 p.m. to get some rest prior to setting out on what apparently was going to be an adventurous journey, as the weather showed no sign of letting up. High seas were sweeping the Tokerau Beach and the cars could not get on to it from this end, but a truck was waiting for them on arrival at the junction of the road and Beach and they were transferred at about 4 a.m. and the rest of the journey was safely if not comfortably accomplished.

Kaitaia Women’s Institute

On Tuesday, in the Parish Hall, the Kaitaia Women’s Institute celebrated its 13th birthday with a bob-in afternoon in aid of Blind Institute funds. The meeting, which was open to members of other Institutes and the public, was presided over by the President, Mrs. P. Wilkinson. Two vocal solos by Mrs. S. Holder, wdth the piano accompaniment by Mrs. Stephens, added to the afternoon’s enjoyment. Due ceremony was accorded the cutting of the birthday cake, which had been made by Mrs. Thornton and iced by Mrs. P. Wilkinson. The thirteen candles were lighted by Mrs. A. W. Bird and extinguished by Mrs. Wilkinson, after which the cake was cut by Mrs. Richter (oldest past-Pres-ident of the Institute). Competition results were : Draw’ing Elephant Mrs. M. Matthews, who also won the Gift competition ar.d the Memory Test ; Musical Pegs Mrs. Sid Richards ; Advertisements —Mrs. Haines ; Best Bloom—Mrs. Surman ; Biscuits Mrs. Knightbridge; Musical Story—Mrs. E. Bedggood ; Something for Nothing—Mrs. Marshall.