DESTRUCTIVE WHIRLWIND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3114, 19 June 1917, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE WHIRLWIND

SEVERAL BUILDINGS DAMAGED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, June 18. A most destructive tornado or •whirl-' wind occurred, at Humtly yesterday morning, tho like of which was never experienced in the district before. When first noticed it struck a milking shed belonging to W. G. Raidall, a. half-caste, who resides opposite the Kimihia Cemetery, on the west side of the river, about twi> miles below Huntlvv Here it picked up a big wagon, smashing it to matchwood. Then it crossed the river, picking up water en. route and sending it GO feet high. ' _. It next struck the cemetery, smashing fifteen headstones into atoms; then, crossed the road, striking the house of James Doolev. The occupants, Mr. and Mrs. Dooley, a nephew, and a uieco (Miss Mary Patterson), heard Hie , tornadoapproaching, and went ontsido, but, not anticipating danger, returned. Tire tornado, however, shortly afterwards struck the dwelling with great force,, tearing > from , the blocks and caivryimr it a distance of between 100 and 200 junto, »• ducing it to matchwood. The occ«Pa_nkwith the exception of Mia Prttabon, managed to escape. I >l lt , t,l^ ll ; llf ° rtn ™i? yonng ladv was carried, about M Tarda with the fast disappearing building before she was rescued. She ™™ m !™{ ately conveyed to the Waikato Hospital, where it was found she was; badly brrased about the body, in addition to l)«ns cut about the head and face, necessitating the puttins in of sixteen, stitches. U Doolers "place the whirlwind picfeed" up a sprins cart and sulky, earned; them dent 200 yards, and ™**ed them to bit?. It then went towards the oM cb»J mine at Kimihia. struct.Mrs. Bwsell's milkinjr shed, picked it m>, and considerably damaged it \n eye-witness states that as ihe.tornado m croesing the river "heetsof iron and limbs of trees could be seen nvin" through the air. The track of the tornado was about o 0 rardl wide. The sicht of the devastation to those outside th« range was very impressive and awe-inspiring-