GALE IN MANAWATU

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 243, 11 September 1933, Page 6

GALE IN MANAWATU

POWER LINE DAMAGED. EFFECT OF LIGHTNING. Probably heralding the approach of the equinoctial ga.les, a strong east-north-easterly wind swept the Manawatu district during the week-end, and brought cold, blustering conditions to supersede a period of beautiful spring weather. The change occurred on Saturday morning, and the week-end was one of heavy wind squalls, with glimpses of sunshine between flying clouds, a drop in the temperature taking place last evening.

Travellers on the road between Ashhurst and Palmerston North last evening report having seen an electrical disturbance of unusua.l strangeness and brevity. Three brilliant flashes at about 8.30 p.m. lit the western sky up like daylight. The lights in Palmerston North failed momentarily, and the cause was later ascertained to be a. shattered lightning arrestor at Te Matai. The mishap threw the feeders at the Bunny_ thorpe sub-station out of action for a second or two.

Due to the high wind bringing about line breakages, power line interruptions occurred at Rangiotu and Himatangi in the early hours of this morning, when the wind was at full gale velocity.

The wind was still undiminished in force this morning, having been the ■strongest, and had the longest duration, for months past. It wrought havoc among unsheltered flowering shrubs and fruit trees in blossom. TE AROHA VISITATION. WORST FOR YEARS. FLOODING INEVITABLE. Per Press Association. TE AROHA, Sept. 11. Overnight Te Arolra experienced the worst storm for many years. Rain is still falling and the country roads are under water. The Waihou River, rising at the rate of 18 inches an hour, will soon overflow its banks. As the back water reaches, the stream the flooding of the lower portions of the town is inevitable.

During the night trees were uprooted, but no serious damage is reported. The waterfall on Mount Te Arena was a beautiful sight when viewed from the town, the volume being increased greatly.

STORM AT AUCKLAND. HEAVY SEAS RUNNING. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. Sept. 10. A very strong easterly- gale has been raging since last night. The sea was so heavy in the harbour that the port health officer was unable to board the Canadian Victor, which arrived from Montreal last night. Heavy seas are lashing the waterfront road, and motors using the road have been drenched with salt spray. Ferry steamers crossing the harbour were severely buffeted, spray going right over the funnels. Most of the yachts and launches are up for the summer, and so far no small craft have been driven ashore.

Fruit trees in blossom will be seriously affected.