COASTAL SEAS REMAIN ROUGH

Grey River Argus, 2 October 1948, Page 4

COASTAL SEAS REMAIN ROUGH

Although there was little rain yesterday and the strong southerlies of the past two days had eased considerably, until they increase in intensity last evening, there has been no change in the position of the Grey bar, where high seas ‘ were again experienced yesterday. Very heavy seas pounded th,e harbour entrance yesterday, said the harbourmaster, Captain H. Moar, who added that the only thing to do was to wait for a moderation of the conditions which have now prevailed for over a week. Harbour orficials hope to be able to take soundings on the bar to-day if conditions permit. These will bu necessary before the movement of shipping can be recommended. l our ships remain tied up in Greymouth, two are still in the roadstead, and one on the way to Greymouth. Westport is also barbound with five ships tide up at the wharves and one outside in the r’oadstead. The Matthew Flinders which is to load for Australia, has not been sighted for two days at the signal station, and she may have proceeded up the coast to Westport for bunkers and stores. LIGHT RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR With a fall of 59.09 inches of rain for the past nine months, Greymouth is experiencing one of the driest years for some time, the fall being consider ably below the averages of the past six years.

Until the end of last month, there was every 'indication of one of the finest Septembers for many years, but the heavy rain of the last week spoilt ju moan’s ngures, 5.5 inches oii the month’s total of 6.74 inches falling in the last eight days. The total for ptemoer of 1947 was 11.01 inches on 22 days, the figures for 1946 being 7.49 inches and for 1945 10.45 inches. Last month there were 14 days on which rain was recorded.

Out of the 30 days of the month, there was sunshine on 28, the total reading being 147 hours, as compared with 122 hours on 20 days in September 1947. For the nine months of the present year. Greymouth has had 1,294.8 hours of sunshine.

During September the highest temperature was 65.4 degrees on September 18. and the lowest air temperature was 34.2 degrees on September 4. The mean temperature, 50.5 degrees, was above the average.