BOISTEROUS WEATHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19032, 1 June 1925, Page 8

BOISTEROUS WEATHER.

STRONG NORTH-EAST GALE. COASTAL SHIPPING DELAYED. CYCLONIC STORM IN PACIFIC. IRIS SEVERELY BUFFETED. The weather conditions at Auckland during tho week-end were very changeable and unsettled. Following Die stormy conditions on Friday the wind died away to a light breeze on Saturday morning, and rain fell during the early hours. After sunrise the weather cleared, and remained fine all day. Yesterday was very wet. There was a light variable breeze and showers fell at frequent intervals all day. The rainfall for the 48 hours ending midnight, as registered by tho Herald gauge, was .53in. The barometer has been very low during tho week-end. After falling since Thursday evening it reached its lowest reading, 29.30 in., early yesterday morning, and remained steady until tho afternoon. It then began to rise slowly, and last night the reading was 29.45 in. Storm on Northern Coast. The stormy conditions which prevailed at Auckland on Friday were much worse on the Northern coast. Owing to the boisterous conditions the Kaituna was unable to berth at Portland. She was sheltering from a north-east galo at Whangarei Heads all Friday and berthed when the weather moderated on Saturday morning. The Glenclg left Whangarei for Auckland on Friday but she was unable to progress against the gale. She returned to the heads for shelter, and remained there until Saturday. Tho Clansman met the full force of the stormy weather further north, arid heavy rain and thick weather made it difficult for the vessel to enter Mangonui. After working that port the Clansman reached Opua on Friday afternoon. A hard northeast gale was then blowing, and there was a very rough sea in the harbour. Cargo iterations were completed at Russell al. 9 p.m., but owing to the gale the Clansman was unable to leave the wharf anil she remained there until 2 a.m. on Saturday, when the storm began to moderate After rounding Cape Brett a high north-east swell was encountered until the Clansman reached the shelter of tho gulf. She arrived at Auckland at 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, having been delayed for over nine hours by the storm. Oable Steamer's Rough Trip. The exceptionally low barometer at Auckland during the past two weeks is no doubt due to the effect of cyclonic storms which have been raging in the South Pacific. The Pacific Cable Board's steamer Iris, which arrived at Auckland from Norfolk Island yesterday, experienced stormy weather almost ■ from the time she left Auckland until her return. The Iris sailed from Auckland at 9 a.m. on May 20, and at mid-day next day a hard cyclonic gale was encountered. The wind blew in furious rain squalls, accompanied by high confused seas. The cyclonic nature of the storfn was indicated by the wind, which commenced from the north, and after blowing from all points in the western semi-circle of the compass, it finished in the south-east. In order to avoid crossing tho centre of the cyclone the Iris ran eastward for 36 hours. Eventually Norfolk Island was roached on Sunday, May 24, and repair work to tho cable commenced next day. The fault was located about two miles from tho shore, where the cable had been badly chafed on the rocky bed of tho ocean. Tho cable was lifted to the surface and after the damaged portion had been cut away two miles of new cable was fitted in tho gap between the shore and sea ends. Work Delayed by Weather. Boisterous weather conditions at the island delayed the work, which was completed at noon /on Wednesday and the same evening the Iris left for Auckland. Stormy weather was encountered that night and at 10 a.m. next day the vessel was hove to in a hard east-north-east gale which blew with severe violence for 30 hours accompanied by high, mountainous seas. • • The wind moderated at noon on Friday sufficiently to allow the Iris to get under way again, hut a moderate galo and high seas prevailed almost all the way to Auckland. In spite of the severe buffering the Iris received during the stormy conditions, she proved very buoyant and did not receive any damage. RIVERS ABOVE NORMAL. WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI, NO TROUBLE ANTICIPATED, [Bl- TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] PAEKOA. Sunday. The Waihou and Ohinemuri rivers were about 4ft. or sft. above normal tp-night but the stop-banks were not threatened. Rain fell continuously on Saturday night and ceased at 9 a.m. to-day. Rain began to fall again at 5 o'clock to-night. No trouble is anticipated by residents near the river. HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH. LOW AREAS FLOODED, NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE* [B3T TELEGRAPH,— OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WHAjNTG-AEEI, Saturday. Tho rainfall registered in Whangarei during the 24 hours to 9 a.m. to-day was 2.43 in. Tho total for the month was 11.98 in. Tho heavy rainfall last night caused considerable floods throughout tho Whangarei district. This morning the buses and motor-lorries had little to spare when crossing McLeod's flat at Hikurangi, the water being ovec 2ft. deep. There was considerable flooding at Tapuhi, Whakapara, and other places round the upper part of the Hikurangi swamp. It is also reported that the Wairua River near the falls has risen rapidly, and that the Mangakahia Eiver is swollen. So far no reports of damage or loss of stock have been received..