A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 142, 18 June 1917, Page 8

A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO

• BIG WAGGON SMASHED.

BUILDTNG3 REDUCED TO

MATOHWOOD.

[Peess Association.!

HAMILTON, June 18. A most destructive tornado or whirlwind occurred at Huntly yesterday morning, the like of which has never be>en experienced in the district. When ifc was first noticed it struck; the milking shed of W. G. Raidall, a half-caste who ■ opposite the Kiihihia cemetery, on the west side of the river, about two miles below Huntly. Here it p.icked up- a big waggon, smashing it into ; match-' , wood. Then it c'aine across the "river, picking Up the water en route, sending it 60 feet high. It next-struck the cemetery, smashing 15 headstones into afco:ns. " . . ■■■<"..•;.

'Tho whirlwind then crossed the road, striking the hoiiP :i .ot J;ime> Dooley. The occupants—Mr and Mrs Dooley and a nephew and niece (Miss Mary Patterson) heard the "tornado approaching, and went outside, but not anticipating any danger returned. Tlie tornado, however, shortly afterwards .struck the dwelling with great force, tearing it from its blocks and carrying -it , between 100 and 200 yards, reducing it to matchwood. The occupants, with the exception of Miss Patterson, managed to escape, but the unfortunate young lady.was carried about'3o yards with part of the fast . disappearing building before boing .rescued. She appeared to be badly knocked about, and was immediately conveyed to the Waikato Hospital, where it was found that she was badly bruised about the body, in addition to being cut about the head and face, neoe9.sita.ting in all 'the putting in 16 stitches.

At Dooley's jjlace the whirlwind picked, up a spring cart and sulky, carrying them about 200 yards and smashing them to bits- It then made towards tho old coal mine at Kimihia, and struck Mrs liussell's milking shed, picking it up, together with the separator, and considerably damaging them.

An eye-witness states that as the tornado was crossing the river sheets of iron and limbs of tre,es could be soen flying through the ''-'air. The track of the tornado v.-as about 20 yards wide, the sight of its devastation to those .outside its range being vory impressive and awp-i!ispiring.