THE WEATHER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 766, 15 March 1910, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

9 A "NORTHERLY" AND RAIN. SOME CITY INUNDATIONS. Tempestuous weather met the flagship Powerful, arid her lessor companions-in-arms, H.M.S. Challenger and Pegasus, on their arrival from Auckland yesterday morning. After the grey peace of Sunday, the gnle, which swept over the city yesterday morning came as somewhat of a surprise. It raised such a smother in the harbour f.hnf it was with difficulty that the slate-coloured forms of (lie fleet ships could be discerned as I bey steamed up the fairway. Rain had fallen during the night and early in file morning, but it blew off in the forenoon. After luncheon, however, it set in to pour in earnest, and for a couple of hours streamed down with a persistent and very wetting drip. Some of the streets showed evidence of the downpour, and here and there a choked drain caused a spread of waters in inconvenient places. That particularly was the case at Newtown, where, for a time the main thoroughfare—Eiddiford Street—bore a close resemblance to a Dutch canal, the low crowned road from side,to side being an unbroken sheet of muddy water. In places it spread across the footpaths and invaded the shops. A great .bulk of water came down Colombo Street, and every little street with a' grade down to the main street contributed tributaries to the flood. The water, however, did not take long to subside when the rainfall ceased, and the air, which had been a little muggy, was sensibly cooler, after the drench. EFFECT ON SHIPPING. Yesterday's heavy showers, combined with the gale that was blowing, interfered considerably with the movements of a number of. steamers working the port of Wellington. In many cases it was impossible- to carry on loading operations, ana in consequence the. majority of deSartures were postjxmed till to-day. The few Zealand Snipping Company's Paparoa leaves this afternoon for Waifcra to take up homeward loading. The Stormbird, Manaroa, Kiripaka, Mana, Opawa, Waimea, and Aorere were all detained in port by the rain. IN OTHER CENTERS. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, March 14. ; The weather. to-day was. wretched. A heavy rainfall occurred, and the prospects for,'the garden party to be tendered the visiting • bands to-morrow, are not very favourable.Otaki, March 14. ■ The weather to-day took a wintry turn, and the rain and wind were most unpleasant It is hoped that the elements will prove favourable for Wednesday and, Thursday's horticultural and industrial ehow. In consequence of the downpour, blooms have suffered considerably, but nevertheless a very fine display.is expected. (By Teletrronh.—Press Association.) CJiristchurch, March 14. - After a fine, bright day yesterday, the wind veered round from east to southwest during the night, and showers of rain commenced to fall, at' an early hour this morning. By 4 a.m. the rain had become a steady downpour, continuing in that fashion up till after ten o'clock. An: hour later, however, the storm .had spent itself, and the -rain gradually ceased. The rainfall recorded at the magnetic observatory to noon was 1.313 Slight showers fell during the afternoon, but soon cleared, and present appearances are that the weather has set fine. MOTUEKi WHAKF UNDEE WATER. Nelson,. March 14. ' A heavy north-westerly gale, with high spring tides caused the highest sea on the city foreshore for many years. Theport road,' the lower-part of the wood,, and part of Washington Volley, are un,der water. It is'believed that considerable damage has been (done at the port, and some boats are out rescuing poultry and removing goods in', the wood. , The. -water washed over Halifax Street, - near 'the centre of the city, .right-l.to the foot of.the new post office stairs. ■' ■ Heavy rain has fallen, but it is now clearing, though the gale is still raging. The water is tfro feet over the wharf at Motueka.