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Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1926, Page 5

DAMAGE ON LAND AND SEA. PLEASURE CRAFT WRECKED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 22. A north easterly gale of considerable severity swept over the city today, piling up a number of pleasure craft on the rocks, and inflicting minor damage on buildings exposed to the full force of the wind. When the storm was at its height in the early hours of the morning several shop verandahs in the city and suburbs’ were demolished, and in several instances windows were broken. Telegraphic communication was rendered difficult during the greater part of the day, a nuinber of lines both north and south of'Auckland being interrupted by the wet conditions. Telephone lines suffered more seriously and long distance communication was impossible during a part of the day.,. Exciting scenes were witnessed in the harbour, when efforts were made to secure a number of small craft which had drifted away from their moorings. The damage caused by the gale among'yachts and launches was heavy, the toll of the storm taking in the 16ft. yacht Limit, and half a|dozen smaller craft. The Harboui’ Board’s launch and the motor pinnaces from H.M.S. Diomede had an extremely busy time rescuing the pleasure craft in harbour from drifting out ‘to sea, or being smashed on the rocks. The yacht Limit which broke from her moorings, was swept on to the rocks in the centre of Judge’s Bay, and after being buffeted about for’several hours, broke up finally about mid-day> Nothing remains of the vessel but a few floating pieces of wreckage.. Passengers travelling between the North Shore and the City by ferry during the forenoon had a particularly stormy passage. No cargo work was done on the wharves. Owing to the heavy rain, the sailing of the Marama for Sydney was postponed until three o’clock to-morrow afternoon. Small coastal ships were unable to sail. Incoming overseas ships report considerable delay. The electric power failed in part of the city to-night, and trams stopped running for nearly an hour. The weather has now greatly moderated.

BUSH FIRES FANNED.

RAETIHI THREATENED RAETIHI, January 22. In consequence of heavy winds, almost of hurricane force, many people to-day hastily left the Raetihi sports. / The last car through the RaetihiOhakune .road reports that the passage is now impassable. The wooden bridge is burning fiercely. Houses occupied by Messrs Howard Williamson and Marsh are reported to have been, burnt. Many other houses are in imminent danger. The wind is threatening Raetihi, and Horopito, Rangataua, and Pokaka, are also in danger.

WANGANUI, January 22.

A violent gale in the Raetihi district to-day caused bush fires to spread extensively, a heavy smoke pall being over the countryside. Considerable alarm was felt. The telephone communication around Raetihi is -interrupted in all directions. Sawmills, dwellings and bridges were endangered by fire,, but this evening heavy rain fell alleviating the position.

HEAVY SEAS OFF LYTTELTON

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 22.

The heavy seas on the coast increased yesterday, and small steamers were delayed. The Wairau, which put back on Thursday, after leaving for Blenheim, is still laid up. The Peninsula steamer John Anderson, had to return from the Heads. The Waihemo, which arrived in the morning from Newcastle, was compelled to remain in the stream, as the Port Health Officers could not go out to grant pratique, and also because the berth was still occupied. The Shaw Savill liner, Maimosa, arrived in the stream in the evening, but the captain wirelessed that he did not consider it safe to anchor, and he put to sea again. Heavy rain this afternoon stoppad all work on the