GREAT STORM.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 147, 23 June 1876, Page 2

GREAT STORM.

A storm of extraordinary violence and magnitude burst on this colony yesterday, attacking both extreme ends simultaneously, the direction of the wind, however, being -at first N., and subsequently N.E., at Auckland, while at the Bluff it was S.E. Towards evening the storm reached other parts of the colony, and during the night a furious tempest raged from one end of these islands to the other. We publish below this morning's telegraphic reports j from the meteorological observers in various parts of the colony. So vast and widespread a disturbance of atmospheric pressure has not occurred in New Zealand for many years. The maximum disturbance was on the West Coast of the Middle Island, where the barometer, which was standing at the unusual height of 30.53 inches two days ago, has fallen during that period no less than 1.80 inch, this mornng being as low as 28 73. In Wellington yesterday afternoon, the approach of bad weather was plainly visible, the barometer falling rapidly, with a very wild sky, while towards evening, although the wind was light, a heavy swell began to roll in from the bay, sometimes breaking over the breastwork ; the tide also was remarkably high. During the night it came on to blow a gale from the N.N.E., with hard squalls and rain ; there was a considerable running sea, causing the vessels to bump a good deal, and compelling the s.s. Stormbird and some small craft to be moved away and anchored in the stream on the sheltered side. This morning, the gale increased greatly in strength, and during the day its force has been terrific, especially in the squalls, while rain has fallen in torrents. The barometer has continued to fall steadily, decreasing from 29*00 at nine am. to 28*96 at noon, and still going down fast. No damage so for has been done to the shipping or in the city, but it is to be feared that later intelligence will bring us news of serious loss by storm and flood in the country districts. The following are this morning's telegraphic reports : — Auckland. — Severe northerly gale yesterday, veering to N.E. in the afternoon, blew very hard until 10 p.m., when it lulled, subsequently changing to a gale from N.W., rain falling in torrents. Gisborne.— Blew hard from N.W. last night, with rain Napier.— Gale from N.W. with squalls. Castle Point.— Gale from N.E., with rain, until midnight; then N.W. strong. Westport.— Wind lulled and sky clear until midnight, when a severe thunderstorm occurred, followed by a very dirty night. Violent gale from N.N.W. ; sea exceedingly heavy, and extraordinarily high tide. River much flooded. Hokitika. — Severe storm from N.W. all night, with extraordinarily high tide. The sea is breaking into the west side of the town. Barometer 2873. Bealey. — Heavy snowstorm, 18 inches of snow on the ground. j Lyttelton. — Gale from N.E. with rain last night. To-day light westerly breeze. Barometer, 2885. Oamaru. — From 8 p.m. yesterday heavy E.S.E. gale, with much rain and very rough lumpy sea, which still continues. Barometer, 28.88. Port Chalmers. — Gale from E. N.E with heavy rain, shifting suddenly to S.W. this morning; still blowing hard and raining. Barometer, 28.85. Bluff. — At noon yesterday a gale set in from S.E. with heavy rain and rapidly falling glass. The gale and rain continued all night and this morning has increased in violence. Barometer, 28-91. 3 p.m. The storm still continues in all parts of the colony. The direction of the gale has shifted to S.W. at Oamaru. The barometer still is falling fast; and in Wellington now stands at 28.94. Appearances threatening in the southward. Warning's for this storm were issued from the Meteorological Office two days ago.