CYCLONIC STORM

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 226, 20 June 1929, Page 10

CYCLONIC STORM

EERIE EXPERIENCE AT OHAKUNE TREES SNAPPED OFF LIKE SAPLINGS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ohakune, June 19. Ohakune residents were puzzled to account for a booming noise which commenced at midnight and lasted until midday. . It now transpires that a cyclonic storm passed through Pokaka and Horopito in a southerly direction, missing Ohakune. At Horopito trees were snapped off like saplings, but no damage to property is yet reported. “HOWLING GALE” AT AUCKLAND WHARF CRANE BREAKS LOOSE. Dominion Special Service. Auckland, June 19. A bowing gale struck Auckland last night but did little or no damage. Fortunately small craft were all hauled up for the winter. Such was the force of the gale that it • moved one of the cranes on the eastern side of Queen’s Wharf and sent it running towards the city end of the wharf until it struck another crane, which was bumped off its rails. “The dirtiest night I have struck since I have been, at sea,” said the veteran mariner, Captain J. H. Hawkes, of the Union Company’s tender Tuatea, which arrived at Auckland this morning from Gisbornb. They were forced to heave to at 1.30 a.m., and it was not until 6.30 that the steamer was able to continue on her course. Heavy seas broke over the little vessel and she was tossed about like the proverbial cork, but she was built to stand the tossing boats get in Gisborne Roads during heavy weather, and she rode out the gale in comparative comfort, small as she is. While the Tuatea was coming up the coast she passed the Union Company’s small cargo steamer Waimea, which left Auckland for Gisborne yesterday evening at 5.15 . She had got far enough round Colville to feel the full force of the gale when it came down so suddenly, and she also was hove to when the Tuatea s-w her. The Union Company's cargo boat Waipiata, which left Wellington for Auckland on Monday night, wirelessed that she was overtaken by the gale when crossing the Bay of Plenty. She also had to heave to, and when the message was sent there was no indication as to when she would be able to reach port.