EASTER ENDS UP WET IN AUCKLAND

Chronicle (Levin), 23 April 1946, Page 5

EASTER ENDS UP WET IN AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, Aprii 22. The hehviest day's rain experienced iii Auckland for six years oecurred today, t-he-totfll'ito 'midnight beityg nearly 'three 'irtehe^.uri was vveicomed 'by faraiers as an asS'ui-Ufiee ot a strong though late growth of autuiUh prisf-flfe. The raiii, in spite of its intensity, caused comparatively littje flooding and no reported damage. tt resulted in many sporting flxtures being postponed or abandoned, reduced road traffic to a minimum oiitside the city, and linallv cxtinguished the hopes ot' a flne day to end the Easter weekend. In spite of the rain and poor visibility, rail and air sehednles were maintained. The flyingboat Awarua left for Sydney in the morning, Union Airways planes flew to timetable, and 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 Whenuapai using. the radio range system. The only two ships to be worked over the holidays by Auckland watersiders, were the Union COifipany colliers Kakapo ahd Oiiiana which were unlo&ded for a brief period iit the morning, but the labour xvas later sent home. The Kakapo was to h'nve sailed today fdr the West Coast and her depai-ture has noiv been delay ed until tomorrow. Rain began in Whangarei just after nOon on Sunday and until 8 o'clock this morriing, 3,68ins. had faHeh. Sinee then over an inch has beeii recOrded. Rain has been general in the iiorth,