CYCLONE SWEEPS OVER FARMS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27376, 15 June 1954, Page 6

CYCLONE SWEEPS OVER FARMS

BUILDINGS DAMAGED TREES UPROOTED

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 13.

A cyclone whirling in from the sea at t*re height of an electrical storm hurled buildings and fully-grown pine trees across a Tataraimaka farm early this morning. At one stage, it swirled round a farmhouse, but left it undamaged. The cyclone struck the farm, occupied by Mr J. Webber, on the New Plymouth-Opunake highway, during a storm that was felt over much of Taranaki and parts of the King Country. The first damage occurred on a farm across the highway from Mr Webber’s property. There the corner of a stack of baled hay was torn loose, and bales were scattered over a paddock. In front of Mr Webber’s house, the cyclone flung a number of packing cases about on a lawn, stripped a rhododendron tree, uprooted another tree and struck an iron shed, scattering the wreckage for about a chain.

Further on, the cyclone ripped .out the side of an enclosed milk stand and tore the corrugated iron roof from a calf shed. Inside the shed were a calf and five pups, but Mr Webber found them uninjured at daylight. The cyclone shifted three heavy pighouses several feet. It swept through a Dine plantation, and blew over four fully-grown trees. Branches were scattered for two chains across one paddock. A big tree on a farm occupied by Mr D. Redshaw, was uprooted, blocking a road. __