THE WEATHER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14925, 30 August 1910, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

STORMS AT AUCKLAND. shippingmT TROUBLE. CFIOH OV& Offff. CORRESPONDENT.) AUCKLAND, August 29. Yesterday was tho wildest day expcrienced in Auckland for two years past. A bitterly cold south-westerly gale raged oil Saturday night and throughout yesterday, accompanied' by heavy hail showers —a mc6t' unusual thing at this time of year. Gardens and orchards suffered severely. Many boisterous and wild days have been recorded on tho Manakau ai'id along tho West Coast, but few have eclipsed that of yesterday. From early morning a howling south-westerly.to westerly gale prevailed, accompanied by heavy hailstorms at intervals. Along the Manakau the "white horses" were much in evidence, and as the day wore on a heavy sea got up. In tho morning information was received from the signal station at the heads that a big sea was breaking oil the bar, but after a time tire wiros broke down, and communication with the station was cut off. In the afternoon the gale raged fiercely, with a 'high gen- running, the waves dashing over the storm breast-, work of tho Mangere bridge and the Onehunga wharf. The Northern Company's steamer Rarawa was due 'to depart at 3 p.m., but Captain W. F. Norbury, who has some daring feats in rough weather to his credit, decided to remain' at the wharf. Tho same company's steamer Waitangi, which has been anchored in the stream in Onehunga for a couple of weeks past, came in for a severe buffeting, and shortly after 2.30 p.m. began to dracj her anchors. Tho drift at the beginning was gradual, but after a while she drove rapidly broadside before the gale in the direction of > Geddes's Basin, and a large number of people watched the vessel, but it was impossible to render any assistance. At first it was thought that the Waitangi would n< into the basin safely, but tho big sea:- .rang her round assisted by tho dragging anchors, and sho was driven up the stony approach to the mole near tho Onehunga Kiosk. Tho waves crashed against her sides, and forced her against ■ the end of the mole, where she grounded ■ aft, with her forepart swinging. 'In this position the steamer bumped, and was battered about unmercifully. Fortunately ■ no serious damage was done. Yesterday morning the Pelone arrived off the Manakau bar, which was in a most turbulent condition, and it was not until 10 o'clock ■ that the passage inwards was essayed. Tho ■ bar at this time was breaking for mile's out, and Captain Muir states (hat he felt like going hack, for big seas dashing over the vessel. However, the main channel was negotiated' safely, and the steamer arrived As above. In his experience Captain Muir does not recollect ever, seeing tho bar so bad as it was yesterday. On the bridge of the Petone may be seen sand that was dashed over it with the waves. (Pee United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, August 29. A heavy gale on Sunday reached hurricane force between Papakura and Otahiihai, levelling a dozen telegraph posts and cutting off communication with tho south, which was restored at 8.30 this morning. SNOW IN THE~ LAKES DISTRICT. (Fnoir Our Own Correspondent.} ARROWTOWN, August 29.' There was a heavy fall .of' snow throughout tho district yesterday. There was a depth of about sin on. the' flat country. To-day is fine, and the snow isquickly disappearing. SNOW IN CENTRAL OT.AGO. (From Oub o\ra Co It RESPONDENT.) NASEBY, August 29. Naseby experienced a very cold euap on Saturday afternoon and yesterday, the wind at times blowing with exceptional ■ force. The: mountains are again white, though the weather this morningis moderating. LOSS TO PASTORALISTS. ' (From Our Own Correspondent.! WELLINGTON, August 29. iAn experienced pastoralist. informs me to-night that the recent storm must have cost the Dominion many thousands olt pounds. The hills beyond the harbour here have been white with enow—a most unusual occurrence at this time of the year,—and in the Waira'rapa the weathsv has been bitterly severe. On all the high lands there was enow, from which the pa.storalists had escaped altogether this winter. There will be considerable loss of . stock, especially of lamlM. ' TRYING TIME AT SEA. EXPERIENCE ON THE HUIA. (Pxs. Uhitxd Fbiss Association) WANGANUI, August 29. , The little coastal steamer .Biria, which arrived at 1 o'clock to-day from Wellington, had a tempestuous and 1 at times thrilling passage. Bad weather was experienced throughout, but matters caino to a head about 10 o'clock' on Sunday morning, when the vessel was about 15 miles from Castlecliff. A frightful thunderstorm enveloped the steamer. It was, accompanied by vivid Hashes of lightning,' which lit up the darkened sky. Two flashes struck tho davits with reports like pistol shots, and played round the iron-, work of tho ship in a most terrifying, manner. Little balls of fire fell through the air, but the culminating point of the disturbance was reached when five waterspouts passed over the ship's bows towards the south-east. Captain Dowell says that in. all his 32 years' experience of New Zealand coastal waters he has never seen or heard of such sights. He • describes the disturbance as appalling, and this view is shared by' the mate and the man at the wheel, both of Whom had a frightful and nerve-trying time. The Hnia stood tho weather well, being only fivi hours longer on the trip than usual.