STORMY WEATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1907, Page 5

STORMY WEATHER.

The unsettled weather yesterday culminated in a heavy downpour of rain towards eleven o'clock, which continued "without abatement throughout the night and up to noon to-day, when there was a temporary lull. The wind has been blowing with great violence from all points of the compass. It was from the east yesterday afternoon, changed to the north-east during the night, then to the west and, finally, into the S.S.W. this morning, blowing a whole gale all the time. The weather is very bad all along the coast, and the sea is rising. There was a very high tide in the harbour this morning, and the sea encroached on the old Admiralty reserve at Devonport, flooding it all over with water some two or three inches deep. The barque Onyx, which arrived from Melbourne this morning, was 30 days on the passage, having been delayed by bad weather. After leaving Melbourne, the Onyx encountered heavy easterly gales and high seas, which continued all the way across. She shipped large quantities of water, but no damage is reported.

During the gale last night Mr Winkelmann's launch Tawaki parted her moorings and drifted on to the reef below Campbell's Point, sustaining considerable damage. It would appear as if some vessel had collided with her, As the launch had only just been repainted and overhauled for the winter season, the accident is especially unfortunate. Owing- to the heavy downpour of rain last night, St. John's Late at Tamaki rose considerably, and the low-lying lands around the lake, and towards the Great South-road, are now under water.. During the gale this morning, a large tree on the property below Orakei-road was blown down. Although its branches reached across the tram rails, it did not stop the cars. Men ■were at once put on to clear away the obstruction. The weather is also boisterous on the West Coast, and the departure of the s.s. Rotoiti from Onehunga for New Plymouth and Wellington has been postponed until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. A passenger train will leave Auckland at 8.20 a.m.

IN THE NORTH.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, June 26. An exceptional heavy easterly gale, accompanied by a heavy rainfall, has prevailed here since yesterday afternoon. The Kanieri arrived two hours late, being delayed by a heavy easterly gale and head seas. Her departure has been delayed till this evening.

GALE AT GISBORNE.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBORNE, this day. A heavy easterly gale is raging, and there is a high sea on the coast.

VIEWS OF MR STEVENSON.

Mr Stevenson, F.R.A.S., has been greatly struck with what he considers a phenomenal fall of the barometer in point of rapidity. He informed a "Star" representative this morning that it was the most rapid fall he had ever known. In point of actual depression also, the mercury was very near- to breaking all previous records. "Indications at present," said Mr Stevenson, "are for fierce squalls with heavy rain from between S.E. .and S.W., followed immediately by much colder weather, and a quick rise of the barometer." "The storm," said Mr Stevenson in conclusion, "is of a distinctly cyclonic character."

CAPTAIN EDWINS REPORT.

The usual weather forecast issued by Captain Edwin, the Government meteorologist, for 24 hours from 9 a.m., reads as follows r —"Expect gale of exceptional severity from between east and south and south-west, with glass rising; rain, probably heavy; rivers flooded."

CENTRE OF THE GALE.

SYDNEY, June 25. The centre of the present storm is between Norfolk Island and Sydney. The barometer at the former place to-day read 29.35.