RAINY WEEK-END.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20989, 28 September 1931, Page 9

RAINY WEEK-END.

LULL DURING RACES.

BEHAVIOUR OF BAROMETER. MONTH WETTER THAN AVERAGE. What the racegoing section of the Auckland public regards as "proverbial Avondale weather" was experienced on Saturday morning, and Iho heavy rain which fell caused an announcement to be made that (he first day's racing of the Avondale 'Jockey Club's Spring Meeting hod been postponed. Later in the morning the weather improved and the notice postponing the race fixture was cancelled. Patrons of the course were fortunate in that the day's programme was completed without further rain falling, but a shower fell after the conclusion of the last race and caught them on their homeward journey. Had the day's sport finished at the usual time, however, racegoers would have reached home dry. The weather was very changeable throughout the week-end and at times it was very wet. On Saturday morning a fresh breeze blew from the north-west and was accompanied by frequent heavy showers until nearly mid-day. The afternoon, however, was fine, but light showers fell occasionally during the evening. Unusual Dip in Barograph.

Yesterday a continuous light breeze blew from the south-west. The sky was overcast during the day and steady light rain fell in the evening.

The barometer had fallen to 29.70 in. on Saturday morning, but it had risen to 30.05 in. by mid-day yesterday. Afterwards it began to fall again. The movements registered on a barograph showed a. perpendicular dip of ,10in. at 8 a.m. on Saturday, a most unusual occurrence. The dip was registered on a number of instruments, Wet weather has been very prevalent, this month, rain having fallen on 21 days. The rainfall for the month to 9 a.m. on Saturday was 3.98 in., as registered at the Albert Park observatory. The average rainfall for September for 75 years is 3.66 in. Avondale Race Daysi' Record. It is a common belief of Auckland racegoers that rain always falls when the Avondale Jockey Club holds a race meeting. A survey of the past few seasons shows the position with regard to the meetings of the club mentioned. On the first day of the autumn meeting this year, April 11, rain fell at intervals throughout the programme. Good weather was experienced on the second day. On the first day of the 1930 spring meeting the weather was fine, with the exception of a light shower in the afternoon. Heavy rain fell toward mid-day on the second day and there were frequent showers in the afternoon. The first day of tlie 1930 autumn meeting was fine, though the sky was threatening. The second day, too, was fine ill the afternoon, though showery in the morning. Bright spring weather prevailed on both days of the meeting in September, 1929, and the first day of the autumn meeting that year was also one of ideal weather. Light* showers fell throughout the second day. Almost continuous rain fell on the first day of the 1928 spring meeting, but there was only one sharp shower during the second day's programme. The weather for the 1928 autumn meeting was dull and windy on the first day and fine on the second day. ROUGH WEATHER AT SEA. DELAY TO THE RAXGITIKI. Bad weather is delaying the New Zealand Shipping Coriipany's motor-liner Rangitiki, which reported by wireless that she would arrive at Auckland from London at two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. A further wireless message from the vessel states that owing to the stormy conditions she will not arrive until six o'clock on Wednesday evening. In addition to a general merchandise cargo she has passengers and mail for New Zealand. PASTURES IN THE NORTH. FURTHER RAIN NEEDED. [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHAN"CrAREI, Saturday. Steady rain commenced to fall this morning shortly beforo nine o'clock, continuing until noon. It will considerably benefit pastures, which are backward on account of a lengthy spell of dry weather with cold winds. Although of considerable benefit, this morning's rain was wholly inadequate to produce a maximum of spring growth. The condition of dairy cows generally is not good and in most instances farmers have already exhausted their root and hay crops. A copious supply of warm rain is urgently needed throughout the district, otherwise cream supplies will decrease.