THE WEATHER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18456, 18 January 1922, Page 6

THE WEATHER

After the beautiful weather experienced on Monday yesterday’s change was certainly not welcome. Early yesterday morning rain commenced falling, and continued till about midday, when conditions improved, and it appeared as if the weather was likely to clear, although a strong south-westerly wind sprang up which blew hard during the early part of the afternoon. However, several showers fell after 4- o’clock, the rain stopping later, (Fbom Our Own Correspondent. 1 QUEENSTOWN, January 17. The weather has been much cooler during the last few days. A fair amount of rain has fallen, always at night, 91 points being registered between January 15 and 16. Fortunately the days have been fine, so the pleasure of the visitors has not been marred. A strong southerly wind has now cleared the atmosphere, and a good spell may now be expected. LAWRENCE, January 17. Practically all evidence of the flood which we had on Sunday has disappeared. Though a larger volume of water was flowing in the Wetherstonos Creek and coming clown Gabriel Gully than has ever before been known, there was little or no risk of damage in the river itself. This was mainly due to two causes—the diversion of the Wetherstones water course by the creation of a new channel and the throwing up of a broad bank of tailings between the present channel and the course, and th© improvement made by the Lawrence Borough Council at the lower end of Hospital Creek. The ' broadening of this channel near its outlet had the desired effect, all the wafer from the south watershed being easily carried to the drainage channel which runs along the back of the town. The only apparent weak point was a few chains beyond the railway goods shed,' where the water was lapping on the rails and flowing down into the engine shed, and thence back to the creek. Arrangements have, I understand, been come to between Mr W. R. Smyth and the Railway Department to sluice the ground between the railway and the foot of the Reservoir Hill, leaving a straight run for the water from 'Wetherstones and a substantial embankment along the railway lino. The need for and benefit of such an embankment was apparent to the most casual observer on Sunday, when it was soon that a rise of a few inches more would have resulted in the overflow of the flood water into Irvine street, and thence down Ross place. MOSGIEL. January 17. Light rain set in early this morning, and continued well into the day. As the ground had not vet recovered from the soaking it had on Sunday some water is lying_ around on the lower levels. The crops in most cases stood well against the rain—much better than was expccted_ would be the case. Both,the Toiori and Waipori have returned well nigh to normal, and with the improvement in the weather the flood waters should soon disappear. The volume of water proved too much for the contour channel, and a couple of breaks took place. This caused the flooding of the paddocks near by. On the Kuri side of the hills some good crops are to be seen, and these all stood well up to the weather experienced. The feed on the surrounding hills will be much improved by the rain. WAIPIATA, January 17. The rainfall registered hero for the 24 hours ended 9 a.tn. to-day was 48 points. Rain set in on January 8 and has continued ever since, the total fall being 422 points. At present the weather is fine but rough and stormy, and a cold „wind is blowing. The river has risen, and is over its banks in places. It. has reached the 7ft mark at the bridge. A thunder storm was experienced last Friday afternoon, when a few sheep were killed. ROXBURGH,! January 17. Heavy rain set in here on Sunday morning. and again this morning, 106 points falling for the two days. Yesterday was a beautiful day, and it looked as though the weather hud taken up. The total rainfall to date for the month is 2.52 against loss than half an inch for month last year.