THE WEATHER

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 90, 15 June 1925, Page 5

THE WEATHER

WILD SOUTHERLY. THE WEEK-END WEATHER. REPORTS OF THE GALE. The week-end was marked by one of the wildest gales experienced for a long time in Taranaki and also throughout the Dominion, judging by the reports that have come to hand as stated in the telegraphic news. On Saturday night cold showers and sleet were accompanied by a howling southerly which it was almost impossible to face. It raged throughout the night, and at intervals during the Sunday, and although the rainfall was lighter in the hours of darkness, the wind blew with hurricane force, and moderated only slightly towards dawn.

IN OTHER PARTS. Snow fell on the hills and foothills of the South Island and people at Blenheim had the experience of seeing snow on the foothills indicating how low- the temperature had fallen.

A strong southerly gale was experienced at Wanganui. It gathered force in the afternoon, and at 3 o'clock the inmates of Mr W. L. Young’s house near the recreation grounds, were startled by a tremendous commotion on the roof of the building. An investigation showed that the whole of the roof of the new stand on the “rec.” had been bodily lifted and deposited on Mr Young’s house, the roof of which was considerably damaged. Iron sheets and beams still repose on the building, and are being viewed, disconsolately, by representatives of the Rugby Union. The stand faces the prevailing wind. Telegraphic communication between New Plymouth and Wanganui was completely broken last night, and communication with Wellington was only possible via Auckland. One wire was available south of New Plymouth till about 5 p.m., but the service, was then severed.

WELLINGTON’S HEAVY SEAS. Wellington, June 14. 1 A heavy southerly gale interfered; with shipping and all small vessels. are still In port, being unable tot face the tremendous sea now running in the Straits and breaking many miles distant. It is stated the present is one pf the heaviest gales' ever experienced in the vicinity of Wellington. . j Among the large vessels due to arrive is the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Orari, which has wirelessed that she is hove to in the ■Straits ‘ waiting for the’ weather- to moderate. It is expected she will make port on Monday. ! The Nelson ferry steamer Kaitoa (310 tons) left Nelson last night for Wellington, and was- due this morning, but she has not appeared. She is believed to be sheltering on the southern side of the Straits. She carries no wireless.

The Arahura left Picton for Wei- ! lington, but encountered such heavyseas that she returned to port. CHRISTCHURCH’S WILD NIGHT. Christchurch, June 14. Yesterday’s southerly storm devel-' oped into one of the wildest nights experienced in Christchurch for a , long time. At intervals heavy showers of hail, sleet and rain passed over the city and throughout the wind maintained a very high velocity. ' | ' It was still very wintry to-day,: with a good deal of rain and sleet. WANGANUI’S SOUTHERLY. Wanganui, June 14. Wild weather continues. During, the early hours of this morning a southerly blew with, hurricane force,; accompanied by fierce rainstorms. j The temperature is low and the conditions generally are- wild. THE WAIWERA’S EXPERIENCE. A stormy trip from Auckland to New Plymouth was experienced by the Shaw, Savill liner Waiwera, which arrived on Saturday afternoon. Although he has mad© regular visits to New Zealand with the Waiwera since 1923, Captain C. Wood stated ( that the storm encountered last week: was the most severe that he had ex- ( perienced off these coasts. He told a; Daily News reporter last night that, any small vessel would have Had an I unenviable time between Cape Maria! van Dieman and New Plymouth at. the end of last. week. I

TERRIBLE SEAS ENCOUNTERED.: Christchurch, June 15. i The ferry steamer Mararoa, which left Wellington, at 7.55 p.ni. on Saturday, only arrived at Lyttelton at 6.30 this morning, constituting one of the longest trips on record. | The delay was caused by heavy seas and gale. Sometimes the vessel made but two knots per hour, the weather being dirty and squally. j The captain said it was the worst trip experienced on the ferry. Terrible seas were encountered. 85 MILES TOOK 25* HOURS. ! Christchurch, June 15. Interviewed on arrival, the Master of the Mararoa, Captain Sewell said the southerly gale sprang up at Wellington at G p.m. on Saturday, and the full force was felt as the vessel reached the Hoad. We sighted Pencarrow Heads at 8.40 on Saturday night. We sighted the Kaikonras at 10.30 last night. That means we took about 25V hours for eighty-five miles. The weather was bad the whole way down to Lyttelton, and the ship kept plugging at it all the trip.

NAPIER LINE DISLOCATED. Dannevirke, June 15. A slip occurred on Sunday night between Ormondville and Kopua, which has 1 dislocated railway traffic on the southern Hawke’s Bay section to-day. The trouble occurred at a spot where I a slip came down some months back, in a cutting which ha s practically been on the move, more or less, since. The passengers by the express trains had to transfer to-day causing some , delay, hut it i,s hoped to resume ' through traffic to-morrow. The working of other trains is much incommoded. * NIGHT VERY COLD. I Tho Government Meteorologist wires from Wellington to-day as follows :—■ The indications are for southerly i winds, strong to gale. The weather 1 will probably prove squally with heavy I showers, and the night will probably be very cold. Barometer rising.