STORM ON WEST COAST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 142, 29 March 1948, Page 2

STORM ON WEST COAST

AIRCRAFT BLOWN FROM MOORINGS (P.A.) GREYMOUTH, March 28. Minor damage was caused in Greymouth by a strong wind early this morning. Several garage doors, windows, fences, and wireless maste were wrenched from their fixtures and telephone communication was interrupted when a large tree fell across a line. Traffic was diverted until repairs were made.

The power supply was interrupted at Greymouth and Westport and .there was slight damage to property at Westport. Two Moths, belonging to the Nelson Aero Club, at the Carter’s beach * aerodrome, were blown from their moorings. One landed over the power lines and the other on a hut roof, where it received some damage.

Rain accompanied the wind but the fall was not heavy and little more than 100 points were recorded during the week-end, 87 points falling in the 24 hours ending at 9 o’clock this morning.

The vain was most beneficial, however, to pastures and replenished water supplies for household and other domestic and industrial uses. The total fall since the rain began on Saturday night was 105 points up to G o’clock this evening. The total for the month to date is only 5.03 in, which has fallen in 14 days, with the maximum of 1.13 in on March 8. With only five days on which there was no sunsine, 1353 hours of sunshine has been recorded at Greymouth this month.

The week-end rainfall has. had no appreciable effect on the flow of the Grey River. Rain interrupted several sporting fixtures.