FIERCE GALE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 199, 23 May 1925, Page 8

FIERCE GALE

AUCKLAND DISTRICT SWEPT HOUSES TORN FROM FOUNDATIONS AND WRECKED SLIPS AND WASHOUTS ON MAIN TRUNK LINE A fierce north-easterly gale which broke over Auckland yesterday morning was accompanied by almost continuous rain. So strong was the wind that three houses in the Hearne Bay district were wrecked. All waterfront .work was suspended. A terrific storm raged at Te Aroha. Heavy rain in the King Coun try caused rivers to rise rapidly. Several slips occurred on the Main Trunk line. Te Kuiti is experiencing the worst' flood for five years, the water having risen with startling suddenness. Roads in various parts of the district are blocked by slips and washouts. A severe rainstorm swept Taranaki, where rivers ar e flooded and roads are under water. The township of Uruti is threatened by flood.

'(BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.! Auckland, May 22. . Serious interruption in telegraphic tominunication north of Helensville and Waiwera and the destruction of a number of buildings, were among the results of a fierce north-easterly gale that broke over Auckland early this morning. The wind, which was unsteady between the east and northeast, brought almost continuous rain, and the faU is already considerably above an inch.

The storm apparently developed into a cyclone for a time, and so strong was the gale that shortly before ten o’clock this morning three houses in the Herne Bay district were swept to the ground. The dwellings were in course of erection, but nearing completion. Evidently the wind, which ,was sweeping in from the north-east, was most severe in this particular area. A two-story house on the West End estate, which was well advanced in construction, and was about to have the roof slated, was the first _to be struck. The wind failed to dislodge any one part of the roofing or sides, and the result was that the whole building was torn from its foundations and wrecked. Immediately in line with this house, but on the Westmere estate, which is further away from the harbour, the cyclone caught the two other houses, which likewise were at such a stage that the wind, getting inside, caused them to collapse. In the Dominion . Road district a large timber stack was seized by the wind and the wood scattered in all directions. A house being built in the neighbourhood was severely shaken, but withstood the strain. The gale was responsible for the raising of a considerable sea on the harbour this morning, and many boat owners had an anxious time in looking after their craft. Ferry steamers and launches were severely buffeted, but the services were not interfered with. A launch lying at anchor inside the eastern tide deflector, wall broke away from her moorings, and came ashore on the breastwork and was considerably knocked about by the seas.

Once again all cargo work on the waterfront was suspended on account of the rain, and overseas and coastal vessels at various wharves remained Idle during the day.

A SPECTACULAR EVENT Auckland, May 22. Manv houses In the city were shaken to their foundations, and many windows were blown in. Gardens fared badly, plants in many cases being levelled to the ground. Wireless aerials in various parts of the city jvere J&adly damaged. The full fury of the gale struck the city at daybreak after six hours’ pouring rain. The collapse of the temporary structure which housed the London Mechanical Exhibition, was one of the most spectacular events of jfhe storm, the building collapsing like ft pack of cards. The Main Trunk expresses are waiting in the Auckland station for word that slips on the line in the south Jiave been cleared away. It is hoped to get them away before midnight, though whether there be delay on the. journey south is not known locally. At Sttrfaale, Waiheke, three cottages (were blown away, also one at Howick. It is likely that the worst is ojpr, j?s the night is calm, with a rising pass.

TERRIFIC STORM AT TE AROHA WAIHOU RIVER RISING RAPIDLY Bt Tm.EOßA.pn— Press Association. Auckland, May 22. The “Star’s” Te Aroha correspondent telegraphs that a terrific storm is raging there. Heavy rain began at midnight accompanied by a strong wind, which at' daylight was at hurricane force.

The Waihou River is rising rapidly and bringing down debris of all descriptions.

MAIN TRUNK LINE BLOCKED SEVERAL SLIPS AND A WASHOUT RIVERS RISE RAPIDLY Br Telegraph—Press Association. Taumarunui, May 22. Heavy rain commenced to fall again last evening, and continued all to-day, though it is easing off this evening. Poth the Wanganui and Ongarue Rivers rose rapidly, the Wanganui being neatly five feet above normal. Slips occurred on the railway line this afternoon at Boro-o-tarao, Taringamutu and Piriaka, and ther* is an extensive washout at Manunui. The line will probably be blocked for twelve hours. The train due at Taumarunui from the north at 2.53 p.m. is not expected to arrive till 8 p.m. The Department sent motor-cars to the Tarjngamutu slip to convey passengers to Taumarunui. As a result of last week’s floods, the Taringamutu Timber Company was compelled to close down for two months at least, all bridges being carried away and the tramline badly scoured.

TE KUITI FLOODED ROADS BLOCKED BY SLIPS AND WASHOUTS Te Kuiti, May 22. A downpour of rain during Thursday night and Friday morning caused the worst floods in Te Kuiti for five years. The water rose with startling suddenness, rising to the depth of a foot in an hour.

In the low-lying portion of the town there are some places with water three feet deep. In the business side of part of Rora Street water is up to the doors of shops, and the owners are having an anxious time. If there Is a rise of a few more inches it will flood tue shops. The rain at 5.30 was not so 'heavy, but conditions were very threatening. The borough staff is busy making drainage outlets to help to take the water away. No damage will be done if the weather clears.

Reports from the Pio Pio district state that there are floods all round. Road traffic is at a standstill. There is a heavy washout on the road to Kopaki, five miles from Te Kuiti. Service cars left Awakino at mid-day ; but were held up six miles on the journey owing to slips on both sides of the road. Slips are continually occurring three miles from Awakino.

The river is rising rapidly. At 5.30 p.m. at the nine mile peg from Te Kuiti there was four feet of. water on the road. A big slip came down at the seven mile peg. Traffic is blocked between Awakino and Mahoenui owing to heavy slips. Settlers are isolated in the district between Te Kuiti • and the coast. The weather practically cleared yesterday, but is worse than ever to-day.

It is reported that three chains of line were trashed atvay at Waimiha, and it is not likely that expresses will get through to-night.

TARANAKI ROADS UNDER WATER URUTI THREATENED BY FLOOD New Plymouth, May 22. A severe rainstorm swept Taranaki early this morning. Rivers are flooded and roads are under water. Small slips occurred, but no serious damage was done. The load from New Plymouth to Te Kuiti is impassable, but motor services will be maintained to-morrow. Anxiety/ is felt in the Uruti Valley, where the township is in danger of being flooded. A great volume of water fell from the hillsides, and the river rose three feet in as many hours. Water is lapping the piles of the Post Office and all the roads are flooded. Tate: this afternoon the rain ceased and the waters are now falling. WANGANUI RIVER IN FLOOD Bt Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, May 22. There is a heavy flood in the river to-night. NORTH BOUND LIMITED DELAYED Owing to the slips near Taumaranui, the limited express from Wellington to Auckland was two hours late leaving Wellington, but the local traffic office consider that the passengers will be able to get through with a slight delay beyond that. The down express has also been held at Auckland, and will be proportionately late in reaching Wellington.