THE WEATHER

Southland Times, Issue 17231, 30 December 1912, Page 5

THE WEATHER

NOR-WESTERS IN CANTERBURY. $ (Per United Press Association). ASHBURTON, December 28. The dying year to-day gave most annoying evidence of the virility it still holds after a fortnight of fine, and sometimes rather hot weather. A furious nor-west gale sprang up this morning, and continued all day. while the mercury rose steadily, Till at 2 p.m. it stood at 89 degrees in tiie shade, the highest tills year. As a result from several countryside plantations grass fires are reported, though none have done much damage. The wind died away in the evening, and the farming community are hoping for rain, a couple of days fall being needed prior to the commencement of harvesting in the middle of January. DENSE FOG AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, December 28. Fog has been more or less prevalent at Lyttelton during the past two days, the warm weather and absence of strong winds probably accounting for its presence. Steamers arriving at Lyttelton this morning were considerably delayed by ttie fog along the coast, and it was after 8 o’clock before the first vessel reached port. At 3 a.m. to-day, the weather was fine and clear inside the heads; but later on a dense fog crept in from the sea, and at 7 o’clock the harbour and town were wrapped in an impenetrable blanket of thick warm fog. The whistles of three steamers which were groping their way up the harbour could be heard sounding. The frequent blasting deep notes of the Maori’s and the Moeraki’s horns were especially plainly distinguishable. although not a sign of the vessels could be discerned from the wharves. The fog signal at Godley Head had been set going when the fog came in from the sea, and afforded a guidance for steamers making the heads. At S.lO a.m. the Maori backed in through the breakwater, as the fog showed signs of clearing, and she was followed at Intervals of five minutes by the Hinemoa and the Moeraki. The Maori was over an hour behind her usual time, while the Hinemoa had been about 20 hours, and the Moeraki nearly fifteen hours on the journey from Wellington. Shortly after these vessels were berthed, the fog cleared away, and the sun shone out vith great warmth. THE RESCENT GALES. THE NARRUNG SAFE. LONDON, December 27. The Naming lias 248 passengers for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, and also some for the Cape. She sent a wireless message that slip does not require assistance, and is steaming back at ten knots an hour. She lias passed tlie Isle of Wight and is coming to the Thames. The Commonweal til’s representative meets the Naming to assist immigrants if necessary. The gale registered ninetyseven miles at Paisley. The Penzance lifeboat rescued the crew of the Italian steamer Tripolitanla.