WIND AND RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 10

WIND AND RAIN

ANNIVERSARY DAY HOLIDAY SPOILED DELAY TO LINER FARM LANDS BENEFIT Steady rain, carried by an easterly wind that rose to gale force at times, drenched the greater part of the Auckland Province yesterday. Both north and south of Auckland exceptionally heavy falls were reported and, although there was no record of flooding, water was beginning to encroach on some lowlying sections of road in tho north last night, and a continuation of the downpour expected to result in some of the routes being blocked. Campers and holiday-makers suffered much discomfort. The rain was welcomed by farmers, but it caused the postponement of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, the first time on record that the fixture has been postponed because of the weather, and prevented the holding of other important sporting fixtures, spoiling the holiday for thousands of people. Tho rainfall yesterday exceeded the average for January. The total for tho 24 hours ended midnight last night was 4.01 in., according to the Herald gauge, and the average for the month is 3.01 in. Prior to Sunday ; the total for the month was only .29m., and on Sunday .36in. of rain fell in the city. Wanganelia Delayed A gale in the Tasman sea has resulted in delays to shipping bound for Auckland. The Huddart-Parker motorliner Wanganelia, which was due in Auckland to-day from Sydney, reported yesterday that strong head-winds would delay her arrival until eight o'clock to-morrow morning. The only train cancelled in Auckland yesterday on account of the weather was the 7.40 a.m. excursion train which was to have run to Hamilton for the regatta, returning in the evening. Race trains to Ellcrslio maintained their schedule, the Auckland Racing Club's mid-summer meeting there being the only sporting fixture of note in the city that was not cancelled or postponed. About 6000 people attended, instead of the crowd of 15,000 or more that had been expected. Conditions at Ellerslie Umbrellas and mackintoshes were the order of the day at Ellerslie, and style gave way to utility in fashions that included knee-length gumboots for men and only slightly less cumbersome footwear for the women. Only a few of the more determined investors dared the driving rain to stand in front of the totalisator. The majority huddled in the lee of the main stand, being satisfied with a quick dash to the totalisator windows and back to the friendly shelter. Seats in the sheltered parts of the stands were at a premium. Holiday-makers who, after a dull week-end with rain on Sunday night, had hoped for a fine Anniversary Day, awoke to find heavy rain falling. There ■was also a strong easterly wind, and in the circumstances the holding of the regatta on the Waitemata Harbour was impossible. Many Excursions Cancelled Residents who had planned harbour trips, were obliged to cancel their arrangements. Heavy seas were running in the gulf, and boisterous conditions prevailed on the harbour. Many parties at the more distant beach resorts were unable to return to the city in their launches and yachts. Miserable conditions prevailed in the city. People who ventured out, even in closed motor-cars, found travelling unpleasant, and any effort to seek fresh air out of doors resulted in a thorough wetting. There were long queues at most of the city picture theatres. There was no easing or the downpour in the evening, although conditions momentarily improved in the middle of the afternoon. Young men and women in bare feet were seen crossing Queen Street last night. Dried Lands Refreshed Disappointed as city dwellers and sportsmen in general were with the wet holiday, farmers welcomed the heavy rain. A long spell of dry weather was broken bv light rain on Sunday, which caused some benefit to pastures, but the much heavier fall yesterday should be of lasting benefit. The rain was sufficient also to aid materially in replenishing diminished water supplies in many outlying areas. Growers or stonefruits were concerned, however, with the possibility of brown-rot affecting their crops, particularly nectarines nearly ready for market. Ram fell steadily in North Auckland yesterday. Since the fall began on Sunday morning a total of 5.82 in. had been recorded in Whangarei up to 5.30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. In the previous five weeks only .13in. of rain had fallen, this period being one of the driest ever experienced. The record fall for one day is 8.52 in., which occurred on May 2 last year. Further north, the fall was not as heavy as that at Whangarei, although about 4in. of rain was recorded in various districts. The parched land absorbed a great quantity of the water, and creeks were replenished to about sheir normal level. Water Rising in North Slips were feared on various road ,works, when such heavy rain followed a prolonged dry spell, but a careful inspection revealed only minor instances. The Brynderwyn deviation was reported to be clear last night, following an inspection by a Public Works Department engineer. Water was beginning to encroach last night on a number of low-lying sections of road. There was not enough water on tho surface to interfere with traffic, but a continuation of the heavy rain was expected to result in some sections becoming impassable before this morning. A heavy fall was experienced in the Waikato, tho total recorded in Hamilton for tho 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday being 8.87 in., bringing the figure for the month to 4.69 in., or 1.57 m. more than the average. All sporting fixtures were either postponed or abandoned, including tho carnival and regatta to have been hold on the Waikato River. The contests will be held next Saturday. Similar conditions prevailed in the Rotorua and Te Awamutu districts. Unfavourable weather also interfered with sheep fairs. The steamer Pakura was unable to call at Hicks Bay yesto pick uj> a consignment of 2600 East Coast ewes, and as a result the Coromandel slieep fair, which was to have taken place to-day, has been postponed until Thursday. iYACHT BREAKS ADRIFT HEAVY EAST COAST SEAS Lby telegraph—OWN cobrespondent] WHANGAREI. Monday The rising wind last night has brought up a rather heavy sea on the east coast in the north and a number of pleasure craft are sheltering in the harbours. At Onerahi the 14-foot boat bea Foam, owned by Mr. Angus Henof Whangarei, broke adrift X mo °" n Ss early this morning 'jtfterndo n '^overed-'&t©