N.I. WEATHER BLEAK

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 1

N.I. WEATHER BLEAK

(New Zealand Press Association' WELLINGTON, July 20. Stormy, cold conditions persisted over most of the North Island and northern parts of the South Island today. A Weather Office spokesman forecast a slight improvemennt and less ice and rain is expected over most parts of the country tomorrow.

A Puhoi Valley farmer, Mr J. Emgander, today buried 48 lambs which either drowned or died from exposure on his farm on Tuesday. The lambs were trapped when a creek, usually about Ift wide, spread to about 15ft. The Automobile Association (Auckland) reported that water covered the road between Waiwera and Kaukapakapa in places but motorists could get through. Some 3.14 inches ot rain fell on Great Barrier Island in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday. Other figures were: Gisborne, 2.97 inches; Little Barrier Island, 2.61 inches. A bridge wash-out at Kuaotaunu closed the Coroman-del-Whitianga highway. Snow and slips have closed the Rotorua-Wairoa road between Te Whaiti and Waikare-

moana. The road may be open tomorow. Snow has also closed the highway No. 5 between Napier and Taupo. The Desert road was opened at noon today although careful driving and extreme caution was required. Serious flooding is not expected in the Waikato river area. ROAD DEBRIS On Beach road, Onerahi, near Whangarei, the tar seal was strewn with flotsam and a strong easterly whipped spray across the road. The tide was lapping the doorway of the clubhouse of the Whangarei Cruising Club. Across the road wood from small-boat trailers, smashed by wind and water, formed a clutter with other debris.

There was some flooding in the lower Whangarei business area. In several parts of the town lawns and gardens were covered with surface water.

Conditions improved in Auckland today with winds down to 10-15 knots and occasional showers but the sun shone most of the morning.

Ministry of Works men from Warkwbrth worked all last night clearing eight slips on the highway between Auckland and Whangarei. All roads north were opened. The Waiwera and Puhoi rivers, in flood yesterday, had almost returned to normal flow today. Schoolchildren in the Wai-wera-Helensville area were nearly all collected by the school bus today and only three children in the upper Waiwera area could not get to school. COLDEST FOR 14 YEARS Today was Wellington's coldest July day for 14 years, according to the Kelburn weather office. In a day of freezing temperatures and icy winds, the weather office’s thermometer reached only 41.6 degrees for the maximum daily temperature.

The average temperature today was 40 degrees. The weather affected few flights although Wellington airport was closed until 8.30 this morning because of cross winds and water on the runway. Two DC3 flights were transferred to Paraparaumu. Rotorua, Kaikohe and Whangarei airports were closed all day because of cross winds.

In Wellington, snow, mixed with sleet and rain fell at Kelburn, Brooklyn, Karori, Wellington airport, Newlands and the Johnsonville area. The Aramoana arrived 15 minutes behind schedule in her morning trip from Picton to Wellington. Strong winds in the harbour today also delayed the berthing of the LytteltonWellington steamer Hinemoa by 20 minutes. The express from Auckland

arrived at 8.55 a.m. today—two hours behind schedule. It had been delayed two hours at Ohaupo, by a breakdown in the signalling system caused by weather and the stalling of a Welington-Auck-land goods train.