WEST COAST GALE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 89, 25 January 1938, Page 3

WEST COAST GALE

DAMAGE AT GREYMOUTII. THE STATE MINE IDLE. (Per Press Association ) GREYMOUTH, January 24. The Liverpool State Mine at Rewanui was idle to-day. During one of the worst gales that lias raged in the Grey district for years, an extensive slip, extending more than three chains, came down on the railway track between Dunollie and Rewanui last night, making it impassable for the miners’ train from Greymouth this morning.

A high wind in the country where the slip was brought down stopped the railway gang from making an early start in clearing the line, because of the danger from falling trees. The slip comprised mostly uprooted trees and branches, though there was a considerable quantity of mullock and rubble. The line was clear again this afternoon, however, and the miners will resume work to-morrow.

Although no serious breakdowns occurred, temporary disorganisation has been caused through the snapping of electric and telegraph lines. Except for momentary breaks, the electric power supply was maintained in Greymouth, but throughout last night Cobden was in darkness, the lines supplying the street lights having fused. Fences were levelled and wirejess aerials were broken in nearly every area. Houses were extensively damaged. Reports of verandahs being torn away from the main building are common.

Half the roof of a joinery workshop in Arney Street was lifted, and partly destroyed.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, a violent gust of wind lifted the roof clean off the Cobden Cricket Club’s pavilion, depositing it in the middle of the domain.

Near the lower end of the wharf, a water spout estimated at between 30 and 40 feet in height attracted a crowd, who waited to see it deluge the shops and houses, but it subsided almost as rapidly as it bad risen.

BULLER DISTRICT SUFFERS.

ELECTRIC SUPPLY INTERRUPTION. o WESTPORT, January 24. The violent wind and rain storm which swept the Buller district during the week-end continued during last night, and further minor damage to trees, wireless aerials, and telephone lines was reported to-day. Stone fruit crops throughout the district have been practically destroyed, just when most of the fruit was ready for picking. It is generally considered that the gale is one of the worst that have been experienced in the Buller district for many years.

RAIN FALLS AT GISBORNE.

THREAT OF DROUGHT REMOVED. GISBORNE, January 24. The threatened drought in Gisborne was averted to-day when, after five weeks’ dry weather and high temperatures rain fell for two or three hours, but a fierce sun at noon soon saw the lands dry once more. Toward 5 p.m. the sky was overcast again and a heavy north-east rain set in and showed no signs of cessation. The rain was badly needed. Residents on the flats had been carting water for weeks. Reports from the backblocks state that the rain was general throughout the district ) which should prove invaluable to the dairying and fruit industries.

MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE.

MASTERTON, January 24

More than three inches of rain was recorded in Masterton for the 24 hours ended at 6 o’clock to-night, biinging much needed relief to parched pastures.

HEAVY RAIN IN HAWKE’S BAY. NAPIER, January 24. Breaking a long dry spell, heavy rain brought relief to the Hawke s Bay countryside overnight. An inch of rain was recorded in most parts of the province since 9 o’clock last night.