SOUTHERLY GALE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20308, 6 August 1931, Page 16

SOUTHERLY GALE.

SHIPPING BUFFETED. POOLTA PUTS IN FOR STORE#. Shipping on all parts of the coast has, according to reports received, been severely buffeted as a result of tho strong south-westerly gale which has prevailed during the past three days. The ferry steamer Maori did net arrive at Lyttelton until 8.20 yesterday morning j over an hour and a half behind her usual time. She met with exceptional Beas in Cook Strait, and was able to steam only at a reduced speed of 16 iniots until she reached liaikoura at three o'clock yesterday morning, when she was given full speed. Poolta's Experience. After contending for three days, against the gale and high eeas, the Union Company's cargo steamer Poolta, which left Wellington on Saturday afternoon for Dunedin, put into the stream at Lyttelton yesterday morning for stores, as her food supplies were running low. She sailed again early in the (tfternoon. Those on board the Poolta describe the gale as the worst they have experienced on the coast for many years. A light ship, she was actually at one time within 29 miles of Otago Heads, but was blown up the coast again. During the height of the gale the Poolta is said to have steamed for 24 hours into the teeth of the wind, and at the end of that period was 40 miles astern of her original position. A member of the engine-room staff described* the seas as "as high as those bills," indicating the hills in-Lyttelton harbour, and no doubt they seemed 6° as they crashed aboard tne battered vessel. For hours at a time it was impossible to get about the decks, even with the aid of lifelines. After several attempts had been mado to gain headway the vessel, when off Banks Peninsula, was turned and headed for Lyttelton in order to replenish her stores. The Poolta was well supplied with bunkers when she left Wellington. The Golden _Coast, which left Wellington before middav on Tuesday, did not, arrive in the stream at Lyttelton until last night.

TAUPATA SHELTERING. I.PRT.SS ASSOCIATION TE LEGE AM.; NAPIER, August o. The Anchor Line's coastal vessel Taupata, which left Napier at 9.15 p.m. on Monday, returned at 5 p.m. yesterday on account of heavy weather. The Taupata reached Cape Turnagain on the trip to Wellington, but was forced to put back. On arrival she berthed at the Napier breakwater for shelter. She is expected to sail again to-night. A LONG PASSAGE. (MBSS ASSOCIATION TELIORAM.) AUCKLAND, August 5. The motor-ship Alexander arrived afc Onehunga this afternoon, after an 86 hours' passage from Nelson.