HEAVY RAIN IN AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 93, 23 April 1946, Page 5

HEAVY RAIN IN AUCKLAND

SPORTING FIXTURES PUT OFF DOWNPOUR WELCOMED BY FARMERS (P.A.) Auckland, April 22. The heaviest day’s rain experienced in Auckland for six years occurred today, the total to midnight being nearly three inches. Welcomed by farmers as an assurance of a strong, though late, growth of autumn pasture, the rain, in spite of its intensitey, caused comparatively little flooding, and no reported damage. It resulted in many sporting fixtures being postponed or abandoned. It reduced road traffic to a minimum outside the city, and finally extinguished hopes of a fine day to end the Easter week-end. In spite of the rain and poor visibility, rail and air schedules were maintained. The flying-boat Awarua left for Sydney in the morning and Union Airways planes flew to time-table. A Dakota of the R.N.Z.A.F., although it reached Auckland from the south during a particularly heavy downpour just at dusk, landed at Whenuapal, using the radio range system. The only two ships to be worked [ over the holidays by the Auckland Watersiders’ Union were the colliers Kakapo and Omana. They were unloaded for a brief period in the morning, but labour was later sent home. The Kakapo was to have sailed today for the West Coast, and her departure has now’ been delayed until to-morrow.

Rain began in Whangarei just after noon on Sunday, and until 8 o’clock this morning 3.68 in. had fallen. Since then over an inch has been recorded. The rain has been general in the north.