SOUTHERLY STORM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1938, Page 4

SOUTHERLY STORM

WAIRARAPA DISTRICT DRENCHED Masterton and the Wairarapa district generally were swept last night by a southerly storm which brought with it a deluge of rain. This later gave way to a strong wind which caused some damage to gardens and orchards. Newly-shorn sheep also felt the cold snap, though no losses of any consequence are reported. About li inches of rain fell in Masterton in the period up to 9 a.m. this morning. Rain started in Masterton shortly after 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon and gradually became heavier. At 6 o’clock a steady downpour set in and this continued more or less steadily for some hours. The wind increased in force as the night progressed, and residents arose this morning to feel once more ’ a touch of winter. GALE IN WELLINGTON. GUSTS OF OVER EIGHTY MILES AN HOUR. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Following on a heavy drift from the south throughout Sunday, with frequent heavy rain, one of the severest southerlies for many years set in at six p.m. anti till 1.30 a.m. was very heavy, 182 points cf rain being recorded at the Kelburn Observatory during this period. R'jin lightened thereafter but the wind continued to rag; and just before 6.30 a.m. a gust of 74 miles an hour was recorded at Kelburn. The reading at Rongotai Aerodrome at the same time was 88 miles an .v.ur and a gust of 89 miles an hour was recorded there.

The Cook Strait Airways’ service is interrupted but Union Airways appear to be running to schedule.

The storm has subsided but the day is unseasonably cold and windy.