THE WEATHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 22

THE WEATHER.

BAREWOOD, December 26, On Sunday afternoon Barewood wa« visited by a rain storm accompanied by hail anti thunder, which men who have lived in the district all their Uvea says was j unprecedentedly heavy. It commenced soon after 3 p.m., and over two inches of rain fell in loss than two hours —the greater I part, in fact, in half that time. Tne effect | on the creeks was rapid in the extreme, j Gullies which had been dry for two years I becamfc unfordable torrents. Castle Creek, I usually of very modest dimensions, in a I very brief spaci rose eight or nine feet, there being six feet of water over part of j the new Castle Hill-Barewood road, which . crosses this creek. This road, though it j has sustained some damage, stood the test j very well. The road from Barewood to i the reefs was, however, not so fortunate, ; two big culverts and embankments having , been carried away. This will stop any ! traffic thereon for some time. Owing to ■ the deep creek beds and the general character of the country, no other damage was clone, except the washing out of some young turnips. Thousands of young rabbits must have been drowned in their burrows. The subsoil received a good soaking. The lightning was very vivid, and near the station a sheep was noticed which bad been killed by tho electric discharge. (Fhom Our Own Correspondents.' GERALDINE, December 26. The rainfall registered her© for the 24hours ended 9 a.m. was 96 points. A steady southerly rain was experienced nearly all " , December 28. The rainfall registeied here for 24 hours ended 9 a.in. on December 28 was 36 ■ omts ‘ MOUNT PEEL, December 25. The rainfall -registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on December 25 "was 177 points. For an equal period of time on the previous day 49 points were registered. PEEL FOREST, December 29. I The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. to-day was 3 inches 55 points. I HILLGROVE, December 26. I The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. was 19 points. For December 25 it was 3 points, and for De©ember 24 it was 67 points. Th© wind was I variable from N.E. to S.E., and tho baroI meter was very unsteady. Farmers and holidaymakers would glady sec a return to normal conditions as th© country has at last received a fair soaking. December 28. Th© rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ending 9 a-m. was 18 points. Aince then there has been very heavy rain and drizzle, without a sign of any change. , December 29. Th© rainfall registered at Trotter’s Creek, i Hillgrove, for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m, was 45 points. The fall must have been very heavy on th© hills, as th© creek is in high fl DUNTROON, December 29. The rainfall registered here for 24 hours ! ended 7 a.m. on December 28 was 36 points, and at. 7 a.m. thi s morning 170 points had Icon registered. All the creeks are in fleod. | TOTARA ESTATE, December 28. ' The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on December 23 was 23 points; for the 25th, 19 points; and for th© 27th, 9 points. A drizzling rain is , falling to-day. i December 29. ' The rainfall registered her© for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 90 points. BUSHEY PARK, December 29. The ruinfall registered here for 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on December 29 was 65 points. 1 With the exception of Boxing Day, the weather has been very bad for the holidays | &0 Ul WAIKOUAITI, December 26. I Th© rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on December 26 was I 51 points. December 29. Tho rainfall registered here for 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 90 r<oint\3. MOUNT PISA, December 29._ Thirty points of warm rain were registered here last night. RANFURLY, December 27. Tho rainfall registered here- for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on December 25 was 10 points. The total fall for the month is 133 points, rain falling on. 14 days, the maximum ball being on the 15th, when 40 i>oints were registered. ST. BATHANS, December 26. For th© 48 hours ending 9 a.m. th© rainfall registered hei-e was 40 points. I QUEENSTOWN, December 27. The weather here has been glorious, th© I bright sunshine and heat being quite a treat after the long spoil of wet down j below. Out-of-door ©ports, picnics, etc., are being enjoyed to the full, j December 23. ' Tho rainfall registered here for 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 10 points. HEAVY RAIN IN THE NORTH. FLOODS IN SOUTH CANTERBURY. EKETAHUNA, December 29. Heavy rain last night blocked th© culverts. * A violent thunderstorm followed, with vivid lightning Several windows were broken by the concussion, and a number ‘ • c telephones fused.

WANGANUI, December 28. Very heavy rain is still falling, and there was a thunderstorm at 10 p.m. TIMARU, December 29.

Between 11 and, 12 o’clock to-day the Temuka and Opihi ai.d smaller streams and creeks rose with amazing rapidity, flood-’ ing the flats. Stock had to be removed to higher ground. Some picnic and fishing partiefs camped on the banks of the rivers had narrow escapes. One largo party nea.r Pleasant Point were aroused at 3 o’clock this morning by water rushing through the tenife They had to make for shelter in their night attire.

It has been raining here off and on for ■weeks. 'There was a heavy downpour on Christmas Day, and another yesterday. The water overflowed the railway line near Otaio this morning, but ,soon receded. One of the up-country bridges (Tengawai) has lost its approaches.