WARNINGS OF GALE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 12

WARNINGS OF GALE

Air Services Delaved «/ (N.Z Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 8. Gale warnings were issued today as rain and high wihds lashed Northland, delayed internal airlines and brought up a heavy sea on the east coast, causing coastal shipping to seek shelter. The Auckland weather office said tonight that the gale, bringing winds gusting up to 45 knots, would rea :h its peak over Auckland and the eastern area of the North Island early tomorrow. Kaitaia was struck by the gale this afternoon and a peak of 82 miles an hour was reported. The gale cut off the electric power in the town for three hours. Some houses and business premises suffered minor damage, trees were torn up and an aerodrome garage was flattened. Advertising signs were torn down and one or two chimneys were tov-'ed. No injuries were reported. Wellington airport, in spite of the generally bad weather, operated all day today. Napier airport was closed from 10.40 a.m. to 1.20 p.m. The special Napier-Auck-land flight for the English Soccer team was diverted to Palmerston North and passengers boarded there after travelling by bus. Four Whenuapai-Whangarei flights were cancelled and one flight had to fly past Kaikohe. Two freighter flights into Whenuapai were cancelled at 6.36 p.m. because of crosswinds on the runway.