AUCKLAND SUFFERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 126, 23 February 1944, Page 4

AUCKLAND SUFFERS

Gale And Torrential Rain Again (By Telegraph.-Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 22. For a second night Auckland was swept by a north-easterly gale, with torrential rain,-last night, causing flooding in many’streets and some damage to stocks in shops and basements. Havoc was caused' in many gardens and orchards, particularly to tomato crops and maturing fruit. The city water reserves have been restored by the addition of 200,000,000 gallons of water in 24 hours. The recorded rainfall in the citv for the 24 hours to 9 a.m. today was 1.66 in. Delay of almost an hour and threeouarters was caused to the express which left Auckland yesterday morning for AVhangarei when the front bogie of the leading engine was derailed as a direct result of the heavy gale which swept the north. The mishap occurred on a railwav bridge between Bickerstaffe and Rangantii, just south of Alaungaturoto, at 12.30 p.m. Part of the decking of the bridge had been blown loose by the wind and had fallen across the line.. Only the front bogie of the first engine left the line.

No trouble was experienced in replacing the engine on the line, though it was some time before disused sleepers could be procured from some distance awav to jack if up. The train was able to proceed on its journey at 2.10 p.m. As a result of the derailment it was necessary to hold the south-bound express at Alaungaturoto for half an hour, and the train eventually arrived at Auckland at 7 o’clock last evening, an hour and a half behind schedule. DAMAGE AT NELSON (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NELSON, February 22. A violent easterly storm swept Nelson early this morning, one gust reaching the velocity of 94 m.p.h. There were widespread breakdowns in telephone and power lines in the city and district. Two houses were unroofed and many sheds, hoardings, fences and trees were damaged.