GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20932, 11 January 1938, Page 3

GERALDINE

WEATHER IMPROVES FLOOD AFTERMATH Fortunately the downpour of Sunday eased off in the evening and conditions yesterday were bright and fine. When the Te Moana was at its peak on Sunday the decking of Speechley’s bridge was submerged, and at one stage it was about the depth of a car’s wheels on the bridge itself.

A further 97 points of rain was registered on Mr B. R. Macdonald’s gauge at “Waitui” at 9 a.m. yesterday making a total of 2.66 in. for 72 hours. Since December 1 last 12.92 in., or nearly half a normal year’s rainfall has been registered at “Waitui.” One inch and 28 points was recorded at Orari Gorge Station yesterday morning, making a total of 3.14 in. since the weather broke, and at “Silverton,” a fall of 1.51 n. brought the total for the three days to 2.96 in. The fall was lighter at Rangitata, where Mr W. J. Coulter’s gauge registered 67 points yesterday, and 2.33 in. for the 72 hours. Falls of 1.04 in., 46 points, and 85 points yesterday accounted for the total of 2.35 in., registered on Mr A. J. Blaklston’s gauge at Raukapuka. Rainfall at Orari Gorge As was the case at Geraldine during last year, the weather was fairly dry at Orari Girge during the mid-winter months, and over the twelve months the fall was much lighter than in the previous year. At Orari Gorge Station Mr J. M. Polhill’s gauge registered 37.95 in. for 146 days on which rain fell, compared with 29.51 in. registered by Mr B. R. Macdonald at “Waitui.” In 1936 the fall at Orari Gorge, which was much heavier, totalled 49.98 in. for 149 wet days, compared with 37.55 in. on Mr Macdonald’s gauge. Conditions were drier in 1935, 40.85 in. being registered at Orari Gorge and 27.02 in. at “Waitui.”

July and August were unusually dry at Orari Gorge, nine wet days in July accounting for 1.38 in., while in August, when rain fell on only six days, the total amounted to I.oBin. December was very wet, rain on 22 days accounting for a fall of 9.74 in., compared with 9.421 n. at Geraldine for 18 showery days. Although the monthly total at Geraldine was a record since Mr Macdonald commenced keeping records in 1916, such was not the case at Orari Gorge, where on one or two occasions during the 37 years records have been kept, more than 12 inches has been registered. In fact the total of 9.30 in. recorded in February 1936 was only 44 points below last month’s figures. The following table of the registrations at Orari Gorge makes an interesting comparison:—

Lighter Rainfall at Raukapuka Records' kept by Mr A. J. Blakiston at “Wynnwood,” Raukapuka, show that the rainfall was much lighter than on the higher country at “Waitui.” Mr B. R. Macdonald’s gauge at “Waitui” recorded 9.42 in. for December and 29.51 in. for 1937, and at Raukapuka the registrations were 6.45 and 21.94 inches respectively. Rain fell at Raukapuka on 132 days in 1936 and 129 in 1937. The records kept by Mr Blakiston show that the rainfall was 12.41 inches less than In 1936. Details of the rainfall for the last two years are as follow: 1937 1936

Furhter applications for the exservicemen’s trip to the Sydney Centenary will be received at Mr W. McClure’s office up till Monday, January 17.

A public meeting of ratepayers will be held in the Parish Hall to-night in connection with the Timaru Harbour Improvement Loan proposal.

A concert of a high standard will be given in the Orari Bridge Hall on Thursday under the auspices of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union by the prize-winners at the recent Timaru competitions. The programme will include national and fancy dancing and vocal items. A dance will follow.

Mr E. Cholerton, Optical Specialist, proprietor of Procter’s, the Opticians, Christchurch, accompanied by Mr W B. Bland, F.8.0.A. (Hons.), who has just arrived from London, will be visiting Geraldine on Wednesday, January 12, and may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Appointments can now be made by ringing Mr Morris Williams, chemist, 'phone 61

1937 Wet days. In. 1936 Wet clays. In. January .. .. 15 4.90 19 4.38 February . .. 14 4.60 17 9.30 March .. 16 2.59 9 6.78 April .. .. .. 12 2.15 12 2 32 May .. .. .. 13 2.60 8 59 June .. .. .. 10 2.57 8 2 77 July .. .. .. 9 1 38 15 3 93 August .. .. 6 1.08 8 2.38 September .. 13 3.62 12 1.90 October .. 6 1.56 11 3.70 November .. 10 2.16 14 6.78 December .. 22 9.74 16 3.40 — — ... — Total .. .. 146 37.95 149 49.98

Wet days. In. Wet days. In. January .. .. 13 2.85 14 2.16 February . .. 15 2.27 15 8.68 March .. 13 1.55 12 6.16 April .. .. .. 12 .98 14 1.50 May .. .. .. 15 1.61 8 .21 June .. .. .. 7 1.32 10 1.57 July .. .. 7 .66 14 2.81 August .. .. 6 .61 9 1.23 September .. 13 1.97 9 .81 October .. .. 5 .65 9 1.17 November .. 6 1.00 15 4.93 December . .. 17 6.47 13 3.12 Total .. .. 129 21.94 132 34.35