GALE AND HEAVY RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19957, 28 May 1928, Page 10

GALE AND HEAVY RAIN.

DOWNPOUR AT WEEK-END. LITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED. LAUNCH BREAKS ADRIFT. BERTHING OF SHIPS DELAYED. Cold and stormy weather prevailed in Auckland during the week-end. All day on Saturday a gale was blowing from the east, bitterly cold, and bringing frequent heavy showers. Yesterday, the wind dropped a little, but the rain fell with renewed force. There was a soaking downpour, almost without respite for the whole of the day. Toward evening the wind de. creased considerably, a,nd changed to the north-east. Notwithstanding the force of the wind—the velocity for the 24 hours endtd at nine o'clock yesterday morniig was 401 miles, the highest figure since January 11, 1926 very little serious damage was done. The waterfront escaped practically unscathed. Early on Saturday morning, a cruising launch, owned by Mr. B. Alexander, of Parnell, broke from its moorings off Hobson Bay. Buffeted by the gale, already strong, the vessel drifted on to tho new railway embankment, where it was damaged extensively. The cabin and deck fittings were washed away and the hull suffered. Tho launch was foui.d awash and on Saturday afternoon was towed back to its moorings and loft with strong anchors down. To-day it will be taken to Mr. .C. Bailey's slip for repairs. The launch is valued at about £3OO. It is 28ft. long with a 7ft. beam and a speed of about 14 knots. Water Supply Benefits. There were numerous cases where the galo caused minor damage It took its toll of small trees and shrubs in many unprotected localities. But, in that it further augmented tho city's water supply, the downpour was responsible for more benefit than damage. ! The raised dam at Waitakere is expected to bo full for the first time by this morning. At two o'clock yesterday afternoon, the level had risen by 18in. It was just on the 60ft. mark, only about sft. from the top. With heavy rain throughout tho afternoon and evening, the level must have risen further. Tho Nihotupu dam, at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, had risen 2ft., and tho level there was also about sft. from the top. It should be full by this morning. There was no sign of any slips in the Waitakeres yesterday afternoon. t Exceptionally Wet Month. So great was the force of the ga.le on Saturday morning that t\yo overseas vessels were prevented from berthing. Tho Scheldepas, which arrived on Friday evening from Antwerp, and the West Carinona, which arrived on Saturday afternoon from San Pedro, haa to anchor in the stream until yesterday morning, when the wind abated sufficiently to allow them to berth in safety. The month now closing has been exceptionally wet. So far there has been only one day on which some rain has not fallen - and already the rainfall is almost double i the average. The reading for tho month at the Albert Park gaugo at nine o'clock . yesterday morning was 7.79 in. For the 48 hours ended at midnight, tho Herald gauge registered a fall of 2.47 in. The average rainfall for May is 4.55 in., and tho record fall for the month, t?ken over 48 years, was in May, 1924, when 10.63 in. fell. WATKATO RIVER RISING. THE POSITION AT MERCER. LIKELIHOOD OF MORE FLOODS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MERCER. Sundav. If the rain which commenced to fall to-dav continues for long serious floods ' are likely to occur in the vicinity of Mer--1 eer. About a milo below the town the i Waikalo has overflown its banks. Tho river is very high and is still rising. Tho swamps arc full, and tho low country : round Mercer presents tho spectacle of a ' huge lake. ' There is no likelihood of delay to I traffic. The new raised road has freed motorists from the danger of floods, which have caused considerable inconvenience in past winters. No cases of damage have been reported, but residents in low-lying areas arc taking stops to protect themselves and their stock should tho downpour continue. There was little rain on Saturday, although a strong wind was blowing. To-day the wind dropped, and the rain fall in torrents. It appears it will continue throughout the night, and if so there may be floods, as serious or even more serious than those which occurred last year. STORM AT WHANGAREI. HEAVY RAIN ON SATURDAY. [BY TEI.EGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI, Sunday, f Although the weather is clearing a j little, Whangarei has experienced a bois--1 terous storm during tho week-end. Tors rential rain fell all day yesterday, and during tho evening tho weather was j particularly rough. The rain abated conT siderably this morning, but there was no J*, falling off in the strength of the wind. No serious damage has been reported, t and there is little likelihood of floods. s I WEATHER AT HAMILTON. D I i B [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] 1 HAMILTON. Sunday. 1 Stormy weather, with heavy rain and a strong wind, has prevailed at Hamilton during tho week-end. Tho rain commenced yesterday, and continued in heavy showers. To-day there has been a steady downpour, which shows no sign . of abating.