THE WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2909, 23 October 1916, Page 4

THE WEATHER

A BOISTEROUS WEEK-END.

Wellington has been extremely unfortunato in its weather conditions during week-ends for a month past,, muck to the regret of those who like to take a recreative breather Lti the open during the customary 6top-work hours. On Saturday, the first day of the WelRacing Club's Spring meeting, rain fell torrentially from early morning until midday, and after that at intervals during the afternoon. There .was no option but to postpone the races and all' other outdoor sports. The bowling community have had so far to be content with an occasional fine weekday, though devotees of the ancient game are yearning for a chance to strike form in view of the big tournament, now less than ten 1 weeks ahead. Cricketers and golf enthusiasts have also been penalised, and all aro asking what has become of: the spring. Yesterday broke fine, and the weather was bright throughout the day, with a stiff southerly breeze to remind folk that summer is not yet. . ' '■ Old residents of the Hutt Valley refer to Saturday's floods as the kowhai floods, which occur, it is said, every year when the kowhais are in- flower. Practically all the drainage of. .the valley from Trentham to Silverstream. flows down the new camp drain. In, spite of this useful channel, however, there was a considerable stream of water flowing along the road opposite the camp gates and on portions of the main road. Many paddocks, _ some of which had just been sown with oats, were flooded, too. The Hutt River was running a banker, but kept within its channel, though at several places there were "numerous subsidences of its banks.A fine dairy cow; was'seen floating down in the current, and there was flotsam of various kinds in the river. The strong wind which blew on Saturday night and during yesterday had a marked drying inflnonce, and by last evening there'was little to show that there had been a flood. In spite of the heavy rain the main, nortion of Trentham Camp, where the men's hutments and other buildings are situated, did not suffer anything in the wa.yof an inundation. The surrounding country and portion of the parade grounds were fairly wet, but tho waters were carried away in "the storm-water channel, which was made some time ago and extends from the hills p.t tho back of the canip to Silverstream. This drain was a rashji'; torrent which overflowed at several places in its course and became a wide stream. A portion of the Twenty-first Reinforcements, including B Company—mostly Wellington men—were under canvas at Heretaunea. Early, on, Saturday morning some of the tents were flooded 'and the inmates were removed to tho main cargn.- -A number r * the. tents remained dry and-the men in these preferred to stay in them rather than remove in the rain. A ration of hot rum was served out to the troops who suffered at the hands of the inclement weather, and during Saturday no outside work was .done. General leave from 11 a.m., which had been granted for the race., meeting, was cancelled, and the usual Saturday afternoon leave substituted. To-morrow all troops at Trentham will have general leave to attend the races and Labour Day celebrations. '

Reports from Featherston received last night showed that the main camp had. not suffered in any way, while the most disturbing'element of tKe weather in the canvas camps was the wind which blew with violence during yesterday.