FIERCE GALE IN ELTHAM

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 269, 10 August 1938, Page 13

FIERCE GALE IN ELTHAM

Concrete Building Wrecked By Telegraph-Press Association. Eltham, August 9. Eltham felt the full force of a northwest gale which has been blowing since just before noon. At 2.30 p.m., when the storm wag at its height, a large single-story concrete building, lately occupied by Mr. Ira JBridger, became almost ar total wreck when the wind got under the roof, with the result that the outside walls were pushed out and the roof fell with a crash through the floor to the cellar. AU plate-glass windows were also wrecked and the shop next door was also considerably damaged. If the gale continues longer there is danger of the whole of the top of the building collapsing. The power failed shortly after 2 p.m. because of trouble with the main line at Tariki, where a huge tree fell over the line.. This was repaired later in the afternoon. Damage was done in the country districts where fences are down in all directions. Wireless poles, fences, sign posts, verandas and chimneys in the town suffered severely. The storm, which is the heaviest experienced since February, 1936, is still raging and showed no sign of abatement to-night. Much to -the relief of hundreds of people heat and power were restored at dusk.

BOMBER DAMAGED

Overturned By Wind At New Plymouth By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, August 9. A Baffin bombing machine of the New Zealand Air Force was damaged at New Plymouth aerodrome to-day when it was caught by a strong gust of wind just after landing and was turned over on its back. The pilot was not injured. The machine, piloted by Squadron Leader Grundy, ran into very strong head winds after leaving Wellington this morning for Auckland, and it took three hours and a quarter to reach New Plymouth, where Squadron Leader Grundy landed to refuel. Gusts of wind on the aerodrome were very strong, and one exceptionally strong gust caught the machine and turned it over. > The ends of the wings were broken and the plane will have to be dismantled to be taken to Hobsonville base for repairs. POWER INTERRUPTION Dominion Special Service. Dannevirke, August 9. A wind springing up suddenly with gale force late this afternoon caused an electric power interruption in the Norsewood, OrmondviUe, and Terehuuga districts. Power was restored after 45 minutes’ stoppage. There was intermittent interference on two toil lines between Dannevirke and Wuipukurau. At 9.30 the wind began to moderate, giving place to steady rain.