TIDAL WAVE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 7

TIDAL WAVE.

DAMAGE AT CHATHAM ISLANDS. wharf washed away. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION ) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 2. A report of a tidal wave, winch did ;onsiderable damage at Chatham Islands on July 21 was brought by the steamer Tees, which arrived" at Lyttelton last night. The Avave swept inland for about five chains on the eastern side of the island. A trawler belonging to the Kaingaroa Fishing Company wa>. lost, and another smashed. The dam which supplies the company with fiesn water Avas ivashed out. Pitt Island wharf was swept away, and some of the beaches were cleared of shell. When 101) miles out from the island the Tees encountered the effects of the wave, which caused the ship to heel over. As the result ot water getting into the engine-room the high pressure cylinder mucked, necessitating temporary lepaiis, during Avhich the vessel was hove to. The run to the Chathams proved a strenuous time for the crew and fifteen passengers. Waitangi was reached at 8 o’clock on July 24, after a laip taking lour and a half days, which under normal Aveather conditions could be done in forty-eight Jioms. Speaking of the damage at the C'lmthams, Captain Dowell said that Kaiaugaiou Lake, which gave a supply of flesh water to the Jvaiangaroa Company, has been washed out finough the carrying away of the dam. The lake, had been drained, and" it would cost a considerable sum to rebuild the dam. Pitt Island wharf Avas completely washed away, not a sign of it remaining. A dinghy and surf boat were Avaslied up the creek a distance of eighty yards. The roar of the wave was heard at Chvenga before it reached the shore, and at Kaiangaroa some fishermen tvlio AAere playing cards Avent out to see Avhat was amiss. On seeing the AvaA’e they made a rush inland to the bush. The AA'est side of the island Avas not affected, only the East side, places that suffered being "Kaiangaroa, Pitt Island

and Mangere Island. At- the last-named place a big landslide occurred.