WINTER IN EARNEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15056, 27 July 1912, Page 8

WINTER IN EARNEST.

TEMPERATURE KEEPS LOW.

COLD MAIN TRUNK

PASSENGERS.

SNOW IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.

Teeke was a slight rise in the' mean temperature in and about Auckland yesterday, bat it was not sufficient to make the general public any more comfortable.

At 9.30 a.m. the maximum temperature was 48.5 degrees, while the minimum glass read 40.5. this gave a mean temperature of 44.5— a degree higher than that- ruling on Thursday. From 9.50 a.m. on Thursday till 9.50 a.m. yesterday, 0.22 in of rain fell, while for the previous 24 hours 0.58 in were registered.

An impression is abroad that this, July is the wettest Auckland has experienced for some years, but this is not so far the case. Inquiries inside by a Hkraup representative from Mr. T. Cheesensan, n-ho has charge of the Meteorological Observatory, shows, that the average rainfall for July for a number of years is 4.95i'.i, while so far this month ihe total rainfall reaches only 4.35iji. Mr. Cheesemaa points out, however, that there is still tima for the average to be /easily beaten. Last July was an exceedingly dry month, only 1.62 in of rain being recorded.

The through passengers hy the Main Trunk express for the last- few mornings bare had good cause to complain of their lot. Thursday night was especially cold arid wet, and the travellers arriving in Auckland yesterday morning said many hard things of the climate. There is snow lying all along the line in the high country, and the outlook from the carriage windows is the mora dreary imaginable. The rivers are swollen, and water lies in every direction. The Shannon and Koputaroa districts are practically inundated with water, which lies to a depth of several feet on either side of the railway line.

A FeiMing farmer who arrived yesterday morning, told a Herald representative that very little work was being done on the farm.?, and to fruitgrowers, whose numbers are steadily increasing in Ills district, the present rainfall was causing perturbation. Stock in the higher country was suffering badly, as never in the history of fanning had .such blinding snowstorms been experienced in the hilly districts.

TBAHTS DELAYED.

A WASHOUT ON THE LINE.

[BY TELEGRAPH. association.}

Levin* Friday.

A washout at Waikanae, caused by the overflow of a creek, delayed all trains from and to Wellington, via, Minawatu, to-day. Repairing gangs were got to work" and it was anticipated a clearance would be made by noon. The weather throughout the district continues gloomy, with snow and rain, which, with floods on low-lying lands, is proving detrimental, especially to young stock. ANOTHER FLOOD EXPECTED. HEAVY RAIN AT MASTERTON, {BT XELEOKAPH. ASSOCX4TIOS'.] 3LisxKßToar, Friday. Heavy rain again set in last- night, and continues. * Rivers are again rising, and another flood is expected. Reports from the bad; country state that many sheep have been drowned or smothered in landslips. It is the worst winter and heaviest rain experienced for thir.y years.

CONTINUOUS WET WEATHER.

LOW LAND FLOODED.

[BT TELEGRAPH. r-BESS tS.«OCIAXIOjr.]

r, Thursday,

The weather continues wed and wintry. There have been only brief breaks during the last three weeks.

Heavy land is waterlogged, and low land flooded, but, with a normal spring, Canterbury will reap the benefit later.

HEAVY SEAS AT TIMARU.

BREAKWATER TO RE EXTENDED.

[b* 3-ELEQItAJ'H.--HfVE!!«.t ASSOCIA.TIOISf.3

T:tMAßxr, Friday.

During the last three weeks or more, north-easterly seas have prevailed at Timaru, sometimes strong and unusually heavy. The existing breakwaters providequite satisfactory shelter from southerly seas, but not from northerly. It happened that the Home liner Botorua lay in port for a week during the bad weather, and the sens in the harbour made it difficult to hold her securely. It was, however, done, though with* the breakage of a few mooring chains, the crushing to splinters of 35 pino log "fenders, and the constant watchfulness of the staff. Impressed by this experience,' the Harbour Board to-day unanimously decided to remedy the defect by carrying out, as soon as possible, the recommendation made some years ago by Mr. Maxwell, the consulting engineer, to add 500 ft to the eastern mole, and instructed the engineer to prepare plans and estimates accordingly. Mr. Maxwell said the work could be done for £18,000. The Board has a balance of £17,000 of an authorised loan unraised.