THE RECENT STORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 154, 24 March 1908, Page 8

THE RECENT STORM.

BARQUE'S ROUGH TRIP. ANXIOUS TIME IN THE TASMAN SEA, COASTAL EXPERIENCES. [BY TELEGRAM. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, March 23. The experiences v'of those on board the barquentino Handa Isle, which arrived in tlio harbour about midnight last evening, during the voyage from Newcastle to Auckland, wore not to bo onvied. The Handa Isle left Newcastle with 'a carr;o •of coal five weeks to-day, making thirty-four days for the voyage. From the outset she encountered rough weather—tlio roughest experienced by those on board for years. She also met with adverse winds; which greatly delayed her. The vessel encountered in midoccan the heavy gale which did so much damage in Auckland ' on, March 6, 7, and 8. Mountainous - seas.. were met with, and. the little-', vessel - was deluged with water for'days', while all on board' experienced a most anxioiis time. In addition to the treacherous-sea; the Handa Islo had to battle agpinst a head'wind for some days, and Captain Sargent, stood-'by tlio wheel fcr.two days and nights without sloop. The vessel, which has"weathered more than ono.. rough passage, behaved splendidly, and came through it all .'without sustaining any damage, and without injury to any of the men on board. Coming nearer to'the r»ew Zealand coast better weathev was experienced, but head winds; still prevailed. She sighted Tiritiri on Saturday, evening, but-took about twenty-four hours to makethe harbour owing, to adverse winds.. The experienced a particularly trying time on the run down to Now Plymouth on Thursday night, left'again for Ouohunga at 8.30 p.m. on /Fridav, and reached Onehunga on Saturday at 8.15 a.m. The mountainous seas . and'/ ; heavy southr westerly galp encountered; oii ■ tlio ,-run ,to Plymouth made the .trip.the worst experienced by Captain Norbury during tho number of years he has b'ee')v working tlio West Coast. Ordinarily the trip, takes under twelve hours,, but on tho last occasion-the Rarawa took sixhours longor on tlie journey. Huge .seas broke fiercely over the vessel, one carrying away a portion .of* tho rail also'several of the deck; seats.''.Although a heavy sea was fetill running;'and-the Manukau bar was in lively condition, the Rarawa made, good timo on the run back'to Onehunga. Tho Takapuna, which missed her trip on Friday owing tc the impracticable conditions prevailing, left for the .South on Saturday morning, arriving- at New Plymouth well up, to time: .

Another vessel to experience a very rough trip was the Corinna, from Wellington and i\ow Plymouth to Onehunga.'- The Corinna K°t the full benefit of the] gale and seas oliv Torawhiti, having the engine-room door'and a portion of her deck fittings ..carried away. During tilo violenco of -the storm one of the ■firemen was thrown down, with such force that ho had to bo talion ashore, at New Plymouth for medical treatm&ifa : Yesterday morning broke fine at Onehunga, 1 ' V tron S s °iithe r ly wind blowing out- , 6 ,? ea had gone down considerably, although there-was a big roll ,on'.tie liar.

REPORTS FROM THEi CQUNTRY,

[ill', TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL - ;;c6iiaT?SPONI)ENT^] T, ' Master-ton .-cli 23. the cold' southerly ram w. -as been pouring since Wednesday,nigi -A'- ■ m now lifted, and vwarm showers, wori ■ experienced t.o-day. The downpoit." *n and will pufc constu^ ;! heart into fanners, especially those vlio ha>V been holding heavy sheep,'and cattlo stocks and harp ' been ; unable to , "get rid of tlioin, Farmers generally express 'the . opinion tiifit the ram has come too late to. bo of aw" s ?>'vice for rapo and turnip crop's, which, if sown now, , will be too near the winter period. Should ■ this week be fine; farmers will be sowing grass 'seed, on a' large scale over the whole of the district.

. . Fcatherston, March 23. The ram of the past few days flooded u T * a . uran e anul River, and on ' Saturday Ihe Ivahutara coach to Fcatherston was iinable to get .through; The river was higher than it had! been known for 'thirty years. On Sunday a ford further down the river was found by some men on horseback, and tho coach arrived hero at 6.20 on Sunday night. A delay of over an hour was caused by a couple of trees having fallen over the track. ■ -

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ) ! Walrpa, March 23. - the weather is moderating, and all the delayed coaches have arrived; •.