AUCKLAND STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1937, Page 6

AUCKLAND STORM

AERIAL MAST WRECKED. (Per Press Association —Copyright). AUCKLAND, May 15. Auckland was again deluged with rain to-day, and the departure of a number of vessels was delayed or postponed. All hockey events were cancelled, also minor sports fixtures. Senior football matches wore played. The rain eased this afternoon. During the storm here, under the strain of the high wind, the aerial mast at the transmitter of Station IZB snapped in three pieces early this morning, carrying away electric-power and telephone lines as it fell. 'Hie mast, which was a wooden structure, about 60 feet high, was fortun- - ately supported by the guys in such a manner that the broken pieces fell clear of the neighbouring buildings. The only damage caused was to power and telephone lines. Repairs were made by mid-day.

STORM DAMAGE. LAUNCH AND BARGES LOST. AUCKLAND, May 17. At the height of the storm before daylight yesterday, the launch Roby, and two barges, Samoan and Argyle, inward bound with shingle, had to be abandoned when the engine of the launch failed between Brown’s Island and the mainland. Besides the crew of four on the launch and the barges, there were several women and children aboard. Two dangerous trips in a dinghy had to be made to land them at Brown’s Island. People ashore saw the vessels in distress, and notified the Harbour Board, and a tug-boat was dispatched. The men on Brown’s Island, meanwhile, had started smoke signals. The tug took tiie party off the island. Heavy seas continued to sweep the launch and barges, and eventually the Roby and Samoan broke their moorings and were washed ashore, the Roby on the bank of Tamaki river, and the Samoan under the cliffs, beyond St. Helier’s. Both were damaged. The Argyle sank at its moorings shortly before the storm died down. The tugboat Kuinea left this morning to stand bv and endeavour to tow the craft off shore, after inspections were made. The barges are owned by McCallum Brothers, Limited.