THE WEATHER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1642, 4 October 1887, Page 2

THE WEATHER.

On Saturday the weather, which had previously been fine, took a decided change for the worse, and throughout the day there were squalls of snow, rain, and sleet. The atmosphere was intensely cold, and although there were frequent intervals of sunshine they only served to make the duller portions of the day appear more miserable. Towards night rain commenced falling more steadily and all through Saturday night it continued with little intermission. Sunday was a most dismal day. The wind blew in fitful gusts, varying to violent squalls, and throughout the day rain kept falling. The creeks in the Waitoni district were soon impassable, and both the Temuka and Opihi rose to a considerable height. It was evident, however-, that snow was falling on the hills, which prevented the rivers rising as rapidly as they otherwise would > have done. The streets throughout

the day were completely deserted, and I the services in the various places of j worship were of the shortest. The weather effectually prevented people from attending. The damage to the orchards will be considerable, as the hail of Saturday will destroy a lot of the early peach and plum blooms. Among lambs also the mortality will doubtless be great. The late sown crops will suffer slightly, but except that the cold and sodden condition of the ground will hare the tendency to check growth but little damage will accrue to crops on the whole. In the Geraldine district during Saturday snow fell heavily for about an hour or two, but the wet state of the ground prevented it lying. The creeks and rivers all throughout the district are flooded, but no serious damage is reported as yet. There has not been such a heavy downpour of rain in the district for some time past. The Waihi River was much swollen, and Messrs J. Mundell and Co.’s mail coach to the Orari had to take the back road to that station. The Hae-hae-te-moana River is diverting its course somewhat near the Geraldine Dairy Factory, and the main stream is now running on the east side, and cutting away the property of Mr Allan. Last evening rain again began to tall, and showers continued to fall during the night. At Mount Somers (says the Ashburton Guardian) there was a heavy snowstorm Snow commenced to fall on Saturday morning, and continued up to late on Sunday night, when a cold rain set in. There were several inches of snow on the ground at Mount Somers yesterday morning. At Yaletta there was a heavy drift on the line, which had to be dug away before the train from Mount Somers to Ashburton could get through. The drift was about five chains in length, and from eighteen inches to over two feet in depth. A delay of over an hour and a-half to the train was occasioned. Two breaks, caused by storm water, occurred on the railway line south of Ashburton, one at Tinwald, and another near the Hinds, The train from Timaru was delayed about an hour in consequence, and the express was also hindered slightly. At Timaru on Sunday a very heavy sea was running, the breakwater at times being washed from end to end. What shipping there was in port, however, rode out the gale in safety, and no damage was done to the breakwater or the wharf.