ROUGH CONDITIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23112, 10 August 1938, Page 14

ROUGH CONDITIONS

WINTRY DAY IN CITY HEAVY SEAS IN . GULF LITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED BAROMETER'S SHARP FALL A high northerly wind, rising at times to fresh galo force, accompanied by intermittent rain, swept Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf yesterday. Although tho galo ranked among the most severe of the winter, little damage was reported. No serious delays occurred to shipping movements ml spite of rain and heavy seas in the gulf and off the coast. Barometric pressure, which reached the high reading of 30.45 in. at the week-end, began to fall sharply early yesterday morning, and a reading or 29.55 in. was shown on the Herald barograph last night. The anemometer at the Pan American Airways base at Mechanics' Bay registered a maximum wind velocity of 40 miles an hour in mists, the average being 36 miles an hour. The rainfall for the 24 hours ended at midnight last niglit, according to tho Herald' gauge, was .38in. Rising early in tho morning, a moderate gale from tho north prevailed for most of the day, and occasional rain added to cheerless conditions in the city. Last evening the wind increased to fresh gale forco and was accompanied for some hours hy heavy rain. Tho wind later moved to the north-west and tho weather moderated. Turbulent conditions ruled in the harbour, particularly in the Jato afternoon and evening, when a full tide, backed by the gale, resulted in a heavy surge. Tho Harbour Board pilot launch Ferro, on duty for the sailing of the Limerick in the early evening, experienced a rough journey in Rangitoto Channel. Tossed by high, confused seas, the launch had difficulty in sighting the Limerick because of the driven spray. Members of the board's staff were called out to attend to a launch which had broken her bow moorings in Mechanics' Bay. At the height of tho galo last evening tho high tide and wind resulted in spray sweeping across Western Viaduct and on exposed portions of the waterfront road. Ferry-boats had boisterous crossings, plunging into tho heavy surge.