SOUTHERLY GALE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10443, 24 April 1912, Page 3

SOUTHERLY GALE.

[Per Press Association".] ASH BURTON, April 24. Very heavy rain fell in Ashburton throughout the whole of last night and has continued without intermission all this morning. [FHOII 6UR COKRESL'ONDENT.] AIyVROA, April 21. Heavy rain from tho south-east wit in here yesterday afternoon, continuing all night. The creeks are now running high. There are no immediate prospects of tho weather clearing. Tho Okain's Bay sports, which were set down for -to-morrow, have been postponed until Tuesday. RAIN AND COLD WEATHER GENERAL. The anticipated westerly gale arrived last evening, after a dull "day. A drinking rain commenced after midday yesterday and .continued through the afternoon. Towards evening tho southerly wind freshened, and during the night a gale was blowing. Heavy ruin fell continuously, and at 9.30 this morning the meteorological observatory reported that the rainfall had been 1./ loin. The whole dominion suffered from the unwelcome change in the weather.

The storm appears to have been very severe in Xortli Canterbury, and thero is much water on the low-lying lands. Throughout last oveuing heavy rain fell in Lyttelton, and there was practically no improvement in tho conditions this morning. In consequence discharging and loading operations in tho port are being considerably hampered. The FederaJ-Houlder-Shire steamer Sussex was to have left port this afternoon for Avon mouth, but as the storm continued the chance of her prompt departuro was reduced to a minimum.