WEST COAST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 919, 22 February 1868, Page 3

WEST COAST.

The West Coast Times, of- February 4, says :—-One of the heaviest wind storms that ever visited Hokitika swept down from the mountains yesterday, and raged furiously till sunset, filling the town with clouds of dust and fine gravel, to the intense discomfort and misery of those whose business compelled them to be abroadj and causing not a little damage to the frail built edifices which abound in the town. Several houses were partially uuroofed, signboards and chimneys were laid low, whilst the suburban residents were exposed to imminent danger by falling timber, as many large trees were torn up by the roots and thrown in perilous proximity to tents and cottages. Only one accident within the boundaries of the township has come to oiir knowledge, and that occurred in the vicinity of the Hau Hau Tramway, at a short distance from the Round Tower of Ireland Hotel, and all but resulted in the death of Mrs. Kearns and her child. Their escape was truly providential, as a large tree fell upon and completely destroyed the cottage in which they resided, but most fortunately missed the woman and child, both of whom escaped with a few slight contusions inflicted by the falling rafters. We fear that the effects of the gale were severely felt in the country districts, as already an account of a dreadful accident has reached town, and it is probable it will be followed by many others. It appears that Mr. and Mrs. Furness, their six children, and a miner named Lear, were in the Victoria Hotel on Monday morning, when the two trees blew down, and it is therefore wonderful that only two of the party should have suffered. One of the trees stood close to, and immediately in front of the hotel, the other about eighty feet distant. Apprehending danger, the inmates were watching the nearest tree, when a great gust of wind tore the second up by the roots, and as it fell it struck the other, which, unable to sustain the shock, gave way also, and both came down together. Seeing their peril, Furness and his wife rushed from the hotel, followed by Lear, who, we understand, first threw one of the children through the window, the remaining five being left inside. The nearest tree fell across a corner of the house, the other cleared the building, but struck down the unfortunate couple and narrowly missed Lear, who was a little way behind them. Furness was frightfully crushed, nearly every bone in his body being broken, and death, must have been instantaneous. Mrs. Furness was dreadfully injured, her collar-bone being broken, and a ghastly scalp wound inflicted. The unfortunate creature's life is despaired of. The condition of the poor children, who are left entirely destitute by this shocking calamity, is sad indeed, and imperatively demands immediate measures for their relief.