STORM FROM NORTH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 74, 30 March 1910, Page 8

STORM FROM NORTH.

A VICIOUS SOUTH-EASTER. NORTH ISLAND BUFFETED. Storm-warnings telegraphed out to the far north by the Meteorological Office on Saturday have been amply justified. The north was advised to look out for squalls on Monday, and by nighttall the advance skirmishers of a cyclonic disturbance hnd smitten Cape Maiia. Yesterday the tempest developed, and the howling winds rushed down the island. The present visitor has called iv from' Fiji. On Thursday night Fiji was struck by a hurricane. Then the cyclone vhiiied westward to Norfolk Isljih). and after a busy time there, it veered to the south-east, and headed for Three Kings. This morning the centre of the disturbance was to the westward of Cape Maria, :md the line of march was towards East Cape. If tho storm continues in its present track it will blow down to the Chathams, but other forces may intervene. Already an enemy, an anticyclone (generally friendly to man) is working off the west coast of the South Island, and the high pressure movement may tone down, and divert the low pressuie. At 9 o'clock this morning the barometer was down to 29 inches at Russell, the lowest reading for about three years. The energy of the vigorous gale this moraine was chiefly felt northward of East Cape, Taupo, and Wanganui, and rain was general in the island. Ttritiri had heavy thunder and lightning. The wind will change by southeast to south, and finally to south-west. Wellington's share of the weather has not been so heavy as the northern districts" portion, but there is yet time for a larger demonstration here. In a few hours the wind here may have more sting. r lhe South Island, too, was mostly under, clouds to-day, but down by Invercargill the air was calm.