GENEROUS RAINFALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19888, 6 March 1928, Page 8

GENEROUS RAINFALL.

HEAVY DOWNPOUR IN CITY. WAITAKERE AREA BENEFITS. REVIVAL OF THE PASTURES. STORMY CONDITIONS AT SEA. The heaviest rain experienced in Auckland for some months fell yesterday. Gathering clouds over the city on Sunday afternoon and evening indicated the approach of rain, and the first showers fell in the early hours of yesterday morning. A steady downpour then set in and continued throughout the day and evening. For the first time for several months city workers left their homes yesterday morning wearing overcoats or carrying umbrellas. Conditions were unpleasant during the day as a considerable wind swept the streets, and at times carried the rain in all directions. However, there was no small amount of consolation in the thought that the rain would prove of inestimable benefit over a wide area. The intensity of the fall increased last evening and culminated in torrential downpoilrs, whiich eased slightly at times. The total rainfall in the city recorded up to midnight by the Herald gauge was .93in. This was almost half the amount of rain that had fallen in Auckland for about two months prior to yesterday, and the countryside should soon reflect the benefit which the rain will bring in every quarter. Wide Area Covered.

The barometer commenced to fall steadily from midnight on Saturday, when the reading was 30.30 in,, and the normal reading of 30in. was passed at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. The downward movement was continued throughout the day and at midnight the reading was 29.70 in. The rain was spread over a wide area, including the catchment ranges iu the Waitakeres. The fall was much heavier at Nihotupu than at the Waitakere dam, but up to mid-day it was not sufficiently intense to create more than pools and to augment the flow in the streams by a very small quantity. In the afternoon, however, the surface water was running into the streams more freely, and readings taken at 6.30 p.m. showed that the flow into the Nihotupu reservoir had risen by three-quarters of an inch, since noon, making the flow over the weir 2£in. Strangely, no effect was noticeable at the Waitakere dam, which last evening was still falling. The rainfall registered at Nihotupu over the week-end up to last evening at 6.30 was .68in.

The effect of the relief from the dry spell is now most noticeable in gardens and parks, and even the vacant civic square is losing some of its desolate appearance as the area of fresh green grass spreads. In the rural areas over which the rain fell the threatened shortage of winter feed is now past, for the grass has responded in full measure to the refreshing showers. The new start that was given to the pastures toward the end of last month will receive an added impetus by the latest rain. Market gardeners and householders who look to the kitchen plots for supplies of vegetables for the winter will also welcome the rain. The softening of the ground made it possible last week to sow fresh seeds and the rain which fell yesterday was the one thing needed to ensure their germination. Waterfront Work Delayed.

The wet weather interfered considerably with cargo work on the waterfront, the only vessels working being small local coasters and colliers. Cargo operations were commenced on some of the larger steamers, but as the rain became heavier the work was abandoned and at noon the men were dismissed for the day. In consequence of the delay the departures of all the larger steamers will have to be postponed. The weather was very stormy on the coast yesterday, and a report from Awanui last evening stated the wind was south-east and blowing with gale force, accompanied by heavy rain. The Union Company's steamer Kereta, which left Auckland early yesterday morning for Portland, to continue unloading cargo from Australia, reported by wireless yes terday afternoon that she was delayed by a south-east gale and heavy rain storms, and it was uncertain when she would reach her destination. The Northern Company's steamer Claymore was to have left Whangarei last evening, but she was delayed by bad weather, and will not sail until this evening.