HEAVY STORM IN NELSON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 143, 30 March 1948, Page 2

HEAVY STORM IN NELSON

Damage to Power and Telegraph Lines

SIXTY-MILE-AN-HOUR GUSTS OF

WIND

(P.A.) NELSON, March 29

A north-easterly storm on Saturday night caused damage, mostly of minor nature, in Hie Nelson district. Branches of trees were blown, across power and telephone lines, and caused an interruption to the services, all of which were restored during Sunday.

The strongest gust of wind recorded at the Nelson aerodrome was GS miles an hour, at 12.15 a.m. on Sunday. Between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. there was a wind velocity of about 50 miles an hour, with several gusts up to 60 and G 5 miles an hour.

Orchardists report some damage to apple crops. The extent of the loss is not yet known, but it ia not expected to be heavy. Late peach crops also suffered.

The storm was not accompanied by a generally heavy rainfall, but in the Cobb Valley seven inches and a half were recorded in five hours, resulting in heavy flooding in the river. Several launches in.Nelsn Harbour dragged their moorings, but the Harbour Board launch rescued them before any damage was suffered. The launch Tarepa, owned by Mr W. Stillwell, of Riwaka, broke loose from its moorings at Astrolabe and wae later located on the beach at Rabbit Island.

Dr. G. B. Campbell’s launch Pakeha dragged her anchor from Kaiteriteri and was driven ashore several miles away.

The steamer Matangi, which left Wellington on Saturday night in calm weather, crossed Cook Strait in a smooth sea. However, on rounding Stephens Island for the run up to Tasman Bay, she suddenly ran into the storm. Heavy seas broke over her decks and the ship took some water through the open portholes and a number of cabins were flooded.