BOISTEROUS DAY ON HARBOUR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 16

BOISTEROUS DAY ON HARBOUR

RAIN AND HIGH WIND AT AUCKLAND LITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, February 4. Rough conditions on the harbour today made travelling uncomfortable for ferry boat passengers. On their trips across, the ferries wore severely buffeted and almost continuous rain, as well as spray whipped from the surface by the heavy gusts of wind, added nothing to the enjoyment of passengers. Regular services were maintained for the most part, although it was impossible for ferries to berth at Birkenhead for several hours. Birkenhead boats used the Northcoie wharf during most of the morning and also early in the afternoon, and buses that ordinarily connect at Birkenhead were transferred to Northcote to transport passengers. An improvement in the conditions about 3 o’clock made it possible for the usual Birkenhead service to be •r.sumed. Though pleasure craft at their moorings in any but the most sheltered localities were plunging wildly, little damage was reported. Most of the yachts and launches rode out the gale .safely and .in spite of taking occasional seas aboard, they appeared to be in no danger of breaking free and going ashore. A small yacht and several dinghies at Kohimarama, and one or two other small craft in other exposed localities, were swamped and at low tide in the afternoon anxious owners waded out to do what they could to prevent further damage. Precautions to prevent floating gear breaking away were taken at Pan American Airways’ base in Mechanics Bay. Additional lines from the landing barge were put ashore, provision having been made when the base was built for such an emergency to be met with a minimum of delay. Though the seas were heavy even inside the eastern breakwater, particularly about high tide, there was no sign of the floating equipment being in danger. Unusually high tides were experienced, particularly at Takapuna, Milford. and Cheltenham. Damage was caused to tents at Milford, one being completely wrecked. A dinghy was washed right up to the Milford road and at Takapuna bricks were dislodged from a house under construction. A wireless mast was blown down at Cheltenham, where the wind was so strong at times that it was difficult for pedestrians to keep their feet. SHIPPING AT A STANDSTILL COASTAL VESSELS RUN FOR SHELTER AUCKLAND, February 4. Nearly all shipping to-day was at a standstill. Arriving in Rangitoto channel in the afternoon after a tempestuous voyage down the coast, the Orient cruise liner Oronsay anchored off Rangitoto, her commander having regard to the possible inconvenience to passengers had she attempted to berth. Incoming ships reported gale conditions at sea. The Union Steam Ship Company’s steamer Waiotapu met rough weather nearing Cape Maria van Diemen on her voyage from Geelong to Auckland, and heavy seas and high winds were experienced on the voyage down the coast, the ship's arrival being delayed some hours. Coastal ships ran for shelter. The Westport Coal Company's steamer Canopus, from Westport to Auckland, is sheltering on the north coast, and the Union Company's steamer Waitaki, from Portland to Wellington, is anchoring in Rangitoto channel.

On her arrival from Suva in the morning the Colonial Sugar Company’s steamer Fiona anchored in the stream, and the rough weather in the harbour prevented the master from moving to berth at Chelsea. No report has been received since Tuesday of the Finnish barque Penang, en route from Nossi Be to Auckland, but it is expected that she is standing off the coast.

ORONSAY SPENDS NIGHT IN CHANNEL

GALE MET ON WAY DOWN NORTH COAST

AUCKLAND, Febiuary 4

Because of an easterly gale in the Hauraki Gulf, the Orient liner Oronsay, of 20,000 tons gross, did not berth to-day. The Oronsay, which has more than 700 passengers, was scheduled to roach Auckland at 3 o’clock this afternoon. but a wireless message from the ship indicated that she would not arrive until 6 o'clock. On arriving in the Rangitoto channel, the commander considered it inadvisable to berth, and the Oronsay anchored. She will berth, weather permitting, at 6.30 in the morning at Prince’s wharf. The voyage across the Tasman was not marked by rough weather, but the Oronsay met a gale when steaming down the north coast towards Auckland. Although heavy seas were met, they were a few points abaft the beam, which eased the liner’s progress When the Oronsay reached Rangitoto channel, the Union Steam Ship Company’s coastal steamer Waitaki was also at anchor, sheltering on her voyage from Portland to Wellington. COWBAIL WRECKED BY WIND REMNANTS CARRIED A QUARTER-MILE POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS AUCKLAND, February 4. A high wind which ivged intermittently in districts south of Auckland demolished a cowbail at Paparimu, 14 miles from Papakura, hurled the roof and two sides of the building a quarter of a mile and severely damaged a milking plant. Varying reports about the intensity of the storm were received from the country areas. Several neighbourhoods suffered inconvenience from dislocated telephone and electric power services. The committee of the Waihi Agricultural and Pastoral Association is to hold a meeting in the morning to decide whether the annual show will be hold.

Very heavy rain fell in the North Auckland district, and a high northeasterly wind blew on Thursday night and throughout to-day. Streams previously were below normal summer level, except in the Kiripaka zone, where many of the roads were under water, and much of the cream separated by farmers could not be collected. Toward the end of the afternoon the rain eased, and it was not anticipated that motor traffic would be held up to-morrow.

In the Waikato, about 35 telephone lines were affected in different parts of the district and several electric power lines were carried away in the Central .Waikato Power Board area.