GALE, HIGH SEAS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28413, 21 October 1957, Page 10

GALE, HIGH SEAS

Storm Lashes Wellington (New Zealand Press WELLINGTON, October 20. Widespread minor damage was done to premises and property in and around Wellington by a southerly gale accompanied by low temperatures today and tonight. Only one injury has been reported. A woman was blown over in Lambton quay shortly after 4 o’clock this afternoon and suffered concussion and other injuries. She was taken to Wellington Hospital. Mountainous seas battered the coastal beaches and exposed roads. Yachts broke adrift in some places.

Pounding seas and salt spray caused a several-hour holdup in suburban train services from Wellington to Petone and the Hutt Valley on the harbour-side electrical rail route.

Only one ship left the wharves —the coaster, Picton—but it was forced to put back at the heads. Gusts of wind of up to 72 miles an hour were recorded at Rongotai. A light car was picked up by winds on the Hutt road this afternoon and turned over three times. Its occupants miraculously escaped injury. Elsewhere, and on the Hutt road, drivers were forced to slow down by wind and their cars were often covered in flying spray.

Windows were blown in in some places. Fences were battered down and trees and shrubs flattened in several suburbs and much damage was done to exposed gardens. No interruptions, however, were caused air services. The wind appeared localised round Wellington. Paraparaumu aerodrome was open as usual all day. Some flights were delayed a little through headwinds though.