RONGOTAI RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 10

RONGOTAI RECORDS

Force of Wind Exceeds 80 Miles an Hour GUST OF 88.5 M.P.H. The suddenness with which the gale blew al Rongotai is shown graphically by the auenonieter chart, which recorded a maximum gust of 58.5 miles an hour al about 12.40 p.m., and another gust of 87 miles an hour at about 11.40 a.m. At. 9 a.m. I lie wind was recording 20 miles an hour and less. These readings were the highest ever registered at the aerodrome. The record shows that the height of (lie gale was between 11 a.m. ami 2 p.m., during which period the speed of the wind was over 80 miles an hour; a slight diminution in intensity then set in. and until about 0.30 the wind-guage registered over 70 miles an hour. For the 24 hours ending at 9 a.m. yesterday, the wind registered over SO miles per hour for three hours, over 70 for eight hours; over 60 for 15 hours; over 50 for 19 hours: over 10 for 22 hours. During the whole time the wind remained a fairly steady south-westerly. The rapidity with which the gale rose surprised even those who are used to the vagaries of the weather there. A moth had just come in from Blenheim, having taken 25 minutes for the trip, when the wind began to blow hard, causing the machines on the tarmac to rock violently. All bands were requisitioned to get the aeroplanes to cover. Then, as the fury of tdie gale increased. the sheets of east iron that form the roof of the City Counci 1 hangar on the aerodrome began to lift and once more there was a helterskelter—this time to tie the roof down. The measures taken were successful and the hangar withstood the gale intact. Cook Strait Airways ran only the first trips in each direction on Saturday morning, cancelling the other flights scheduled for the day, but they resumed their usual service yesterday morning. TRAINS STOPPED Hutt Line Undermined In Several Places HUGE SEAS POUND WALL Pounding up against the sea wall from the floating dock to the Koro Koro bend, heavy seas in Wellington harbour were swept by the wind over the railway line between Ngahauranga and Petone and stopped all traffic on both lines from shortly after midday on Saturday until repairs were ef fected by 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The seas washed in under the lines and carried away the gravel on which the sleepers rest, so that the sleepers were overhanging in places and the rails were covered with shingle and water. Hundreds of people going home from work to Petone and the Hutt Valley, and many who were going out to sports events, were delayed, some of them for nearly two hours, until they could complete their journey in Railway Department buses and private cars. Leaving Lambton station at 12.20 p.m.. the first train to be held up reached Ngahauranga without difficulty. But just north of that station the line was found to lie, under water and the train backed to the station, where other trains from th e city soon pulled in behind it. Most of the passengers waited hopefully in their seats; others dashed for the Hutt Road, where many were picked up by passing cars or went on in special buses which the Railway Department rushed to Ngahauranga to solve the tangle.’ Hundreds of people were huddled in the rain waiting for transport. After the first confusion trains did not leave Lambton for the Hull Vai, ley: only buses being used.

From Ngahauranga Io a point about two miles nortli the rails were entirely covered, by water, in places a foot deep, and huge waves were breaking over it continually, sending spray and shingle across the road. When, late on Saturday, the seas subsided a little and tlie water ran off the line, it was clear that tlie gravel piled up over the linos was not the only damage done by the storm. Two small breaches were made in the sea wall and tlie seas had undermined the rails in some places past Ngahauranga. Tlie damage, however, was comparatively slight and Hie work train and repair gang sent out yesterday had no great ditliciilty restoring Hie line to first-class order. Trains began to run according to time-table after 4 p.m., and they will do so to-day.

Though trenieiidous seas were breaking on Hie west coast, the main railway line nortli was not affected by the storm and a full service was maintained from Wellington throughout tlie storm.