LABOUR DAY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 26, 25 October 1921, Page 6

LABOUR DAY

MARRED BY SOUTHERLY STORM SOME MINOR 'MISHAPS Labour Days in Wellington have frequently been marred by turbulent Weather, and yesterday was one of the Worst ever experienced. During Sunday night the southerly breeze increased to a fierce gale, with heavy raiu, and these conditions ruled throughout yesterday', completely spoiling the holiday as far as outdoor recreations were concerned. The • etorm was felt severely on the water- ■ front, the gale lashing the waters of the harbour into big seas, with spume flying continuously. Thia was particularly j unfortunate for the yachtsmen, some of whom had arranged to launch their croft from the boat harbour, hard, and the beaches for the season. These operations had to be postponed until the weather conditions are more, favourable. , The Labour Day picnic and sports had to bo postponed, and the Trentham races were put oif urttil Saturday next. The Hutf River, which has been running’ high for tho last few days, is in a state of flood, and every stream in the vicinity of Wellington, became a roaring torrent yesterday. A small slip occurred on tho AVadostown tramway line yesterday, but it did not interfere with the servicer to any sextent. There was a washaway on the road between Johnsonville and Tawa Flat- on Saturday morning. It occurred at a point where a culvert crosses the road, and leaves a gap in the road, making it impassable for traffic, This washaway is awkward, as for all practical purposes this is the arterial road to the Manawatu. There is the hill road via Hayward’s, and Pahautanui, which is not favoured at the best of times, and also the road via Akatarawa Gorge, hut neither are believed to be in good condition after the heavy rains of the past week. Several people who came to town for the races by motor-car have * elected to leave their cars in town until the ordinary traffic road) is repaired. The week-end was marred for troutfishers by the storm and its effect on the streams throughout the district. Aviation, which has become a popular diversion in Wellington, was quite out of tho question. The overturning of the flying boat alongside the King’s Wharf, wih probably put that fine craft out of commission for a week or more. At Miramar some of the new houses erected by the Labour Department were surrounded by water. / I Heavy rain, accompanied by a gale, which reached hurricane force, was experienced at Palmerston North. A considerable amount of damage, was done, trees being uprooted, while most of the orchards which were promising well suffered severely. Some of the telegraph wires between Otaki and Levin were brought down by the gale, and in consequence communication with Wanganui was broken. The work- had to proceed to ■ and Auckland and then back to Wanganui, but last evening it was reported that some trouble had also been experienced on this route. Two of the main wires between Wellington and Auckland were down. Some./ of the lines through the Manawatu Gorge leading into the Wairarapa were also broken. It will ne late to-day before normal communication caii be restored. The Labour 'Day sports at Newtown Park had to be postponed yesterday, be- » cause of the weather. The committee in charge of tho snorts has secured the use of Newtown Park for Saturday, when the pro,gramme will be carried out, / if the weather permits. INCREASED RAIN IN WAIRARAPA

RIVERS FLOAVING BANK HIGH. By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Masterton, October 24. A cold southerly wind, accompanied by incessant raiu, visited the Waiiarapa yesterday. From midnigdit until about I) o’clock this morning the rain was exceptionally heavy, and, after that showers, varying in severity, continued throughout the day. At 9 o’clock to-nigbt it was still raining, and the weather showed no signs of clearing. Reports of floods or impending floods come froni all parts of the district. lintil is experiencing- the worst October rain for years, and the Whareama and Tmiu Rivers are in high flood. High tide occuis at 11 p.m., and it is feared that unless the rain abates tho rivers may bank up and flood lowrtying parts of the settlement. All the farmers in the locality have taken the precaution of movinc their stock to higher levels. The AVangaehu River Lias overflowed its banks in the vicinity of Otahuao, ond stock have been removed for safeti. The tyaingawa is high, but'not over its banks as yet. The Ruamaliunga is fairly high in t’>e neighbourhood of Te Whiti, but at Afartinboroiigh it is flowing bank to bank, and in the opinion of a resident of thM town there will be a flood unless tho rain ceases snon. All the low-lying land ni tho locality is under water, and mniiv sections in the town have been transformed into pools. i The same conditions prevail in Alas- >• terton. The inclement weather necessitated postponement of the Labour Day sports. Tha street channels are very full, end the Waipoua River, to the north of the town, is a raging torrent. At 5 p.m. tho northern portion of the Municipal Park and the paddock between two bridges on the Lansdowne Road were several feet under water. Air. Richard Brown reports that during the 24 'hours preceding 9 o’clock this morning 1.16 inches of rain were recorded in the town, and from then till 5 o’clock this evening a further 64 points ■foil This makes the ’total rainfall for the month six inches, which Is one point higher than the record established in October. 1911. ' At Solway, two mfles away, the rain has been even heavjer, for. according lo Mr. H. AL Boddingfon, 2.12 inches were recorded between-9 a.m. yesterday nnd 7 p.m. to-day, making the total rainfall for the month in that locality 6£ inches. Though the weather shows no signs of clearing this evening, the rain has eased e. little, and it is anticipated that more serious floods may be averted. TN OTHER CENTRES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, October 24. The weather was, gloriously fine for the holiday. The main attraction was the Labour Day picnic at Outram. Christchurch, October 24. The weather was cold and threatening for the holiday, and, in consequence, trams and trains to tho seaside were poorly patronised. Auckland, October 24 Labour Day was oliseeted ag a general holiday. A Labour procession and sports were held, despite the stormy weather.