TROPICAL WEATHER

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1935, Page 8

TROPICAL WEATHER

STRANGE CONDITIONS AT OHURA. HOT DAYS AND HEAVY RAIN. December was a remarkable month for weather conditions in the Ohura valley. The temperature for the most part was tropical, the days being swelteringly hot and electrical downpours came at night. A total of 11.47 inches of rain fell on 13 days, the greater part from December 22 to December 29 when 8.41 inches were recorded. There was a fall of 3.1 inches on the 22nd and 2.41 inches on Christmas Day. The downpour on the latter day commenced about 5.15 p.m. and continued till 7 after which only light rain fell. There was a slight earthquake on the 4th at 9.38 a.m. Rain fell at Stratford on nine days during December, making a total fall of 1.53 inches as compared with 4.49 inches during December, 1933. The maximum fall of .68 was recorded on the 6th. The total for the year was 66.38 but the unusual spell of dry weather from November is marked by the fact that over the last 41 days of the year only 1.65 inches were recorded.

RACES TO-MORROW. STRATFORD’S SECOND DAY. The second day’s programme of the Stratford Racing Club will be disposed of to-morrow following the postponement on Wednesday owing to the wet weather. i There is every prospect for an excellent day’s sport. Fields'will be good and the horses should be in fine fettle. The wisdom of the decision to postpone till tomorrow instead of yesterday was borne out by the conditions. The weather was fine on the whole but dull and unattractive while the track was heavy from the downpour on Wednesday and that night. Moreover the club did not want to have its racing clash with the visit of the Duke of Gloucester.

GENERAL ITEMS. No Breakdowns at Stratford. Although interruption with the electric power supply as a result of the storms and gales of the last few days has been fairly general throughout Taranaki, the Stratford borough has had no trouble whatsoever, stated the electrical inspector, Mr. A. E. Pollock, to a News reporter yesterday. There had been no breakdowns at all. In the Taranaki Power Board’s district, however, workmen have been busy continually, some having worked since 4.30 a.m. on Wednesday till well into yesterday. The Public Works Department sub-station on East Road reported ho breakdowns in its district. Little Building at Stratford. Building permits were not sought to any extent at Stratford during December and the amount for which permission was granted was only £152 for work on four garages and additions.