RAIN FOLLOWS GALE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 24 October 1927, Page 10

RAIN FOLLOWS GALE.

GREYMOUTH EXCURSIONISTS DISAPPOINTED. After the heavy nor'-west gale of Saturday, contributing to the big rise in the "VVaimakariri river,, heavy rain began to fall in the early hours of yesterday morning, and, with the exception of an hour late yesterday afternoon, continued well into last night. Saturday's gale was one of the worst experienced on the Canterbury Plains and in the City for some time. Yesterday dawned with' a dull, ieaden sky, and heavy rain.. The heaviness of the fall varied at times during the day, but was fairly consistent. It ceased for an hour or so between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., but at 7.30 an exceptionally heavy shower of hail and rain fell, lasting for half an hour. The rain was general throughout Canterbury, and at Arthur's Pass the fall registered for Friday and Saturday was 12J inches. A small washout occurred in the line between Otira and Jackson's. Before the special train left Christchurch on Saturday morning word was received that the Greymouth racecourse was under water and that there was a prospect of the trots being postponed Officials of the Trotting Club were communicated with, and after making an inspection of the track, stated that there was a fair prospect that the Meeting could be held. The departure of the special train from Christchurch was delayed for twenty minutes while the position was being ascertained. The 285 passengers were informed that their fares would be refunded i? they did not wish to make the trip. Later information was to the effect that heavy rain was falling in Grey-j mouth and the track was well under water.