MUCH DAMAGE DONE IN AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 111, 4 February 1936, Page 11

MUCH DAMAGE DONE IN AUCKLAND

Man Reported Drowned

WINDOWS SHATTERED AND ROOFS BLOWN OFF

Much evidence of storm damage in Auckland was seen by Mr. Merlin Chamberlain, of Wellington, who, with Mr. George Benny as passenger, arrived at Rongotai Aerodrome yesterday afternoon after, completing an aerial tour of the North Island in the Wairarapa Aero Club’s new Moth Major. Boofs were blown off Auckland suburban houses, sheds were blown over, plate-glass windows, including four in the Gas Company’s building, were shattered, and shipping was held up, said Mr. Chamberlain. •Arriving at Mangere on Friday night after leaving Mastarton _ on Thursday and calling at Dannevirke, Napier, Taupo and Hamilton, Mr. Chamberlain intended to leave on the return trip on Sunday afternoon. It had been raining fairly heavily on Saturday, but the weather broke on Sunday afternoon, and he was ready to leave when he decided to have afternoon tea first When he and Mr. Benny were in the club-house the storm came up very suddenly, causing them to postpone their departure.

Terrific Wind.

“I have 'never seen wind like it,” said Mr. Chamberlain. “The power and telephone lines to the aerodrome were broken and all the way into the city we saw big trees that had been uprooted. Boofs were blown off houses in the suburbs, sheds were blown over, and plate-glass windows blown in. The electric power was off in some of the suburbs, though it was on in the city. There was evidence of damage right through the city. No matter where you went you could see trees and fences down and some roofs off houses. Stuff was scattered about many roads. Salt spray was blown off the sea right into the city and on to the windows. “I heard a man had been drowned somewhere in the Auckland Province. His house was flooded and two of them went back to see if they could save anything. He was caught and was washed away by the flood waters. Fishing Launch Missing. “The rain stopped about 10 o’clock on Sunday night, though it continued to blow very hard. We left Auckland this morning and saw floods in places between Auckland and Hamilton, From New Plymouth we followed the coast, going out to s<a at places. We kept a look-out for a fishing launch reported missing from New Plymouth. Floods were to be seen all the way down, especially between Hawera and Wanganui. Haystacks and trees were surrounded by water and some sheds seemed to be just about covered. It looked as if the flood was very severe around Foxton, but from there on we saw no evidence of damage. We followed the coast down." TARANAKI DAMAGE ) Storm Worst Within Living Memory

INGLEWOOD’S ORDEAL

By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, February. 3. With practically no warning a steady downpour of rain on Saturday afternoon developed suddenly on Saturday night into the worst storm within living memory. To the rain was added wind of hurricane force from the south and south-east, culminating in what was practically a country-wide tornado between S a.m. and 10 a.m. yesterday. The storm had practically subsided at dusk last night, but the havoc wrought is so extensive that it is impossible to estimate the extent of the damage or even obtain any complete idea of what damage has been done. Telegraph and telephone lines are down in thousands all over the country. A number of roads are completely blocked to traffic, and many slips have put the Stratford-Main Trunk line and other railways out of action. From all parts of Taranaki come stories of unprecedented devastation. At Waitara a large section of the freezing works chimney was blown down, a warehouse was levelled to the ground, and damage was sustained by the main north road bridge, which had to be closed to traffic. Inglewood after the storm appeared like a shambles. The roof was lifted off the Anglican Church, and indescribable damage was done to buildings and property. At New Plymouth the Frankleigh Park public hali collapsed in a tangled mass of wood and iron, and damage was sustained at the port to small boats and a launch. Two fishing launches are still out, and grave anxiety is being felt concerning one* of them, In which W. F. McLeod, the owner, and his son Angus, left on Saturday morning. At Hawera, Patea, and other towns the cyclonic wind wreaked vengeance right and left, though Inglewood seems to have fared the worst.

An excursion train from Taranaki to Taumarunul yesterday had to turn back because of slips on the -line. The main north road was blocked by slips in the Awakino Valley, but it was reported late last night that cars could get through, though great care was necessary. The Uruti Valley was reported to be heavily flooded, and Urenui was a scene of wild desolation,

Telephone, telegraph, and power lines were brought down wholesale, and for a large part of yesterday it was impossible to get a single toll call from New Plymouth. Except for a few miles the telegraph service was put completely out of action, and did not function all last night, though telephone communication was re-established from New Plymouth to Waverley, from Hawera to Manaia, and over several shorter routes. Much of the province, however, is still isolated, trees being down over both the telephone and telegraph lines. REPAIRING THE DAMAGE By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, February 3. Taranaki was busy to-day repairing the damage to buildings, fences and roads, but in some cases weeks will be occupied in repairs. Opunake is isolated still so far as rail and road communication is concerned, bridges being washed away on the main road both north and south, while one span of a small railway bridge collapsed. The main road to Wellington was opened this afternoon by the use of detours. The main road to Auckland is also open. The main east road is blocked in the Tangarakau Gorge.