THE WEATHER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10346, 29 December 1911, Page 3

THE WEATHER.

CONTINUED RAIN

The brief pause in the falling of the rain lias been passed, ana last night rain set in again., effectually routing any chance there was of the Davis Cup competition being plaj'od to-day. The slight showers of yesterday afternoon gave way shortly before midnight to a long and heavy downpour, continning until about eight o'clock this morning. The rainfall during the night amounted to 1.885 inch, and it was severely felt in the city, although the weather was not cold. The Avon was considerably swollen this morning and very muddy, the stream flowing rapidly. In the low-lying parts of the city there were one or two small floods, but nothing serious, the water draining away fairly rapidly. The whole of the dominion was involved in last night's rainstorm, and, though the North Island seems to have escaped Avith showers of varying f/'veritv, the South Island has had a thorough Avashing. This morning, however, QueenstoAvn, Bluff and Gisborne reported blue skies. NORTH CANTERBURY. EXTENSIVE FLOODS REPORTED. BREAKS IN THE R AILWAY LINE. RANGIORA GASWORKS THREATENED. Last night in the North Canterbury district there av.os an unusually heavy fall of rain, the total amount being registered at inches. As a consequence of this a considerable portion of the country is inundated. The passenger train from Waikari to Christchurc.h Avas delayed by slips on the line between Waikari and the Summit. The passenger train from Christchurch to Culverdon Avas held up at the Ashley RiA'er in consequence of several avash-outs between Ashley and Balcairu. The slips at Waikari have iioav been attended to, and the raihvay -engineer hopes to restore communication this evening. No damage is reported on the Cheviot line. Tho Ashley was in very high flood this morning at Fern side, and it Avas feared that the river would break its south bank, but the danger passed. A heavy stream of flood water flmved through the main street of Rangiora, and finally found its way to tho gasworks. A small drain Avas cut and Avith the help of the fire engine the danger , Avas averted.

The Southbrook and Flaxton districts, which are very low-lying, are extensively flooded, but no break iu the railway line there is reported. '.hie north branch of tho Waimakariri is very high owing to a flood in tho Evro River.

IN MID-CANTERB URY. [Fkom Our CoiiuksvomjKvr.] ASHBURTON, December 28. The rain which set in at Ashburton about seven o'clock last night proved to be tho heaviest for spme considerable time, 2.06 in being registered up till nine o'clock this morning. All low-lying land is under water and the Ashburton River is from bank to bank, the flood being the highest for several years. Tho river is still rising. At Mount Somevs tho fall was very much heavier and tho creeks and rivers are in flood, while several paddocks aro under water and stock aro suffering considerably. Several carcases of sheep ,were. seen from the train, i At Haektborne the fall was 3,07 in. ! making the fall for the month 9.56 in, this being the heaviest for several years past, although T.Ooin were registered in Julv last. There is' still a quantity of shearing to be done, in tho higher country. Farmers who were in town to-day state that vtlio rust is becoming very bad in the cereal crops, while heavy crops are down and not likely to rise. Fine weather is now urgently needed for all purposes.

[Fnoii Orn Cn^RFsiTOxnifKT.] AKAROA, December 20. Torronti.il rain fell hero all last night. It is still raining (10 a.m.), and the creeks are running very high. MKTHYtfN, December 29. Having already ha<l fifteen wet days this month, the fact that a gentle rain commenced to fall at mid-day on Thursday did not causo much comment; hnt in the evening it culminated in a continued downpour, which lasted all night, the rain gauge registering four inches and forty-four points at 9 am., making a total of ten inches and sixty-eight points for tho month, which easily constitutes a record for this district since a record has been kept. Tho roads in tho township are flooded with water to n. depth of two] re inches and many of the roads are impassable for vehicles owing to the floodins °f the storm water channels, A railway truck containing lima and laths, which was standing on tho railway siding was discuvered to he on fire, owing to the rain having damped the lime. "Willing hands assisted to unload the truck nnd extinguish the fire. TIM A R IT, December 29.

Between eleven and twelve to-day the. Temukii and Qpihi and smaller streams and creeks rose with amazinsr rapidity, flooding tho flats, and all stock had to ho removed to higher ground. Some picnic and fishing parties camped on the, hanks of the rivers had narrow escapes. One large party, near Pleasant Point, was wakened up at throe o'clock in tho morning hy water dashing through the. tents and had to make for shelter in their ni; v ht attire. It has been raining here off and on for weeks, with a heavy downpour on Christmas Day and yesterday.

STORM IN THE NORTH. [Pi,in Pekss Association.] EKETAHT'NA, December 20. Heavy rain fell last night and blocked the culverts. A violent thunderstorm followed with vivid lightning. Several windows were hrolcen by tho concussion and a number of telephones were fused. [Pkk P-ni'.ss Association.} DUNRDTN, December 29. A visit to the North-east Valley this morning discloses tho fact that if one portion of Lindsay's Croek had been cleared of boulders there would have been very , little flooding. Last night the water got dammed up. and broke across the low-lying township of CJlenroy, and met a quantity of surface water at tho Oardens. The unfortunate effect is that many residents are alarmed and have intimated their intention to give up their houses. One, landlord has already received notice of the intention of six tenants to quit. The rain cleared up at two o'clock this morning, and the, waters aro rapidly subsiding. Mr Panlin's forecast is as fallows: — There is going to be very heavy weather southward of the forty-third degree south latitude, with thunderstorms, heavy rains and dangerous weather after thirty hours.