WIDESPREAD HIGH WINDS; LIGHT AIRCRAFT UPTURNED

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 1

WIDESPREAD HIGH WINDS; LIGHT AIRCRAFT UPTURNED

Winds gusting up to 62 m.p.h. were brought by an abrupt storm which whirled about Christchurch early last evening. Turbulence caused the cancellation of three National Airways Corporation flights through Christchurch.

At Kaikoura the gale tore a light aircraft (shown above) from its lashings and carried it 60 yards, causing extensive damage.

After the storm had passed over the city the winds moderated somewhat and showers replaced heavy rain. A Piper top-dressing aircraft at Kaikoura belonging to Airwork (N.Z.), Ltd, was tom from its picket ropes by the wind and hurled through a barbed wire fence on the property of Mr R. F. G. Latter, of “Kincaid.” The aircraft was so badly broken and twisted that it is thought that only the engine might be salvaged.

One of the metal picket rods holding.the aircraft broke and an eyebolt on the other picket rod snapped near ground level.

The wire fence was demolished for about a chain by the impact of the plane. Gouge marks in the adjoining paddock indicated that the Piper had cartwheeled before coming to rest. Harbour Launch

Eight passengers on the launch crossing from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour were caught by the storm. The buffeting of the boat by the rough sea caused an airlock in the water pump and a consequent breakdown The pilot cutter, Wairangl went out and stood by. but the engine was soon restarted.

The weather had been quite calm when the launch left for its 12-minute trip across the harbour. The storm then moderated so quickly that it was calm again when the launch made its next trip. Timber, which was blown off scaffolding on the Public Trust building, Oxford Terrace, damaged two street lamps.

A small boat which was moored off the Spit in the Estuary broke away from its moorings. Its owner found it on the beach about half a mile away. The temperature in Christchurch reached a maximum of 62deg during the early afternoon but as the storm approached it dropped. Just before 4.30 p.m. the temperature reached the middle 40s, where it was expected to remain overnight. Queenstown Snow Heavy rain fell in the seuth and west of the South Island Queenstown had an appreciable fall of snow. Five inches of snow lay on the Haast Pass Road and 41n on the Lindis Pass. On both of these roads

chains were essential, according to the Automobile Association (Canterbury). Rain fell heavily in the Lewis Pass but the road remained open. Because of a fall of rock on the road, at a place not defined, the Automobile Association asked motorists to avoid using Arthur’s Pass last night.

Three N.A.C. services were cancelled. A Viscount from Auckland via Wellington to Christchurch was cancelled because of turbulence in the Wellington area; a Christ-church-to-Auckland direct flight, also by Viscount, was turned back; and the Friendship service to Hokitika was unable to land at Hokitika and was forced to return to Christchurch.

Southland Flooding According to a Press Association message from Invercargill, snow in the high country last night was expected to avert a danger of major flooding in Southland During the day some areas had surface flooding, and rivers rose rapidly as rain followed a quick thaw of snow in the back country. Worst hit was the Milford road, which was closed until further notice by the Ministry of Works 56 miles from Te Anau.

Ski Championships Skiers, however, will be rejoicing. The New Zealand ski championships, due to be held at Coronet Peak next weekend, were in doubt until today, when 15in of fresh snow fell at the peak. Driving rain and winds gusting up to 80 miles an hour lashed Wellington yesterday, says - Press Association message. After a comparative lull overnight the wind is expected to swing to the south-west bringing very cold temperatures and snow to low levels. A storm warning was issued to shipping about midday when the weather worsened;

further storm warnings are expected today in Wellington. Ferry Late Fierce winds also caused difficulties in the berthing of the Aramoana at Picton; the ship tied up 25 minutes late. At sea off the west coast of the North Island the Sedco 135-F semi-submersible oil

rig met high seas as it was being towed to its new drilling site off the West Coast. It is now expected to be a day late beginning the Haku 1 well for Hematite Petroleum (N.Z.), Ltd.