STORM IN NORTH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 May 1934, Page 2

STORM IN NORTH

GALE AND RAIN. AUCKLAND PROVINCE SWEPT. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 3. The most severe north-easterly gale experienced for a long time swept over the Auckland province to-day accompanied by heavy rain. It did minor damage to buildings in many districts, interferred with electric power, telegraph and telephone services, and caused delays to shipping. The gale was particularly strong' in Auckland harbour. It was accompanied by a very high tide at 9.45 a.m., and the conflict between wind and ebb-tide at midday produced a short heavy sea which greatly inconvenienced harbour traffic. Captains of ferry steamers stated that for a time the sea was the roughest they had ever experienced. Boats fought their way across the harbour, throwing up clouds of spray which at times rose w r ell above their wheelhouses. The services were maintained verv creditably with little delay. The steamei- Ngoiro, however, broke down off Northcoto wharf through the failure of her water-cooling system. Some of the passengers became needlessly alarmed at one stage, and donned lifebelts. The steamer lay-to until repairs were made, and returned to the citv under her own steam. The Pupuke, which was sent to maintain the time-table, got into very rough water off Birkenhead, nnd laboured heavily for some minutes, to the discomfort of the passengers. The vehicular services were run under great difficulties. Several hulks and scows went adrift or dragged their moorings, as did launches and small yachts. Losses among the pleasure craft, however, amounted to only three or four small boats. The seas on Milford beach were very heavy at high tide, moving large quantities of sand. A concrete boatshed was undermined, and most of one wall and the floor collapsed. NAVAL MISHAP. The gale caused some trouble to the Navy, but there was only one accident. A pinnance from the Diomede was crossing the harbour to Devonport in the teeth of the gale and had reached midstream when a seaman lost his grip and was pitched into the sea. The petty-officer in command promptly put the boat about, and after a minute and a half of clever manoeuvring in the choppy sea the man was hauled aboard none the worse. There is usually a good deal of naval launch traffic across the harbour in the morning for the conveyance of stores and other purposes.

After the accident Rear-Admiral Burges Watson ordered that no further boats should be dispatched, and until evening communication was kept up by means of the ferry service. LINES INTERRUPTED. Telegraph and telephone services in all parts of the province were interrupted by the gale, many breaks being caused by trees and other objects being blown across the lines. An augmented staff of linesmen was kept busy all day, but as the work could not be done at night on account of danger from power lines, some services are still interrupted. It is expected these will be repaired to-morrow. In practically all cases alternative routes were arranged. The telegraph line from Auckland to Whangarei was broken at Ma-ungatu-roto, while another break occurred in the Warkworth-Waipu line. The service between Rotorua and Whakatane and between Waihi and Tauranga. also was discontinued for some time, while minor interruptions occurred in the Auckland-Hamilton line. Several other breaks occurred in less important circuits. Telephone circuits north of Auckland were seriously affected by the storm. The four lines to Whangarei were broken at 10.30 this morning, but one was restored at 1 p.m. Others are still out of action. Both lines to Dargaville were broken and have not yet been repaired. CITY FLOODING. Abnormally heavy rain which fell shortly before 10 o’clock to-night, following an electrical storm with vivid lightning flashes and heavy thunder, caused flooding in the lower portions of Queen Street and subjected theatregoers to much inconvenience and discomfort. In many places the water was over a foot deep, and people alighting from trams or hurrying to ferries were compelled to wade through a torrent. The water overflowed the kerbs as far down as Victoria Street, with the consequence that it was inches deep from footpath to footpath, even across the tram tracks. It was at this hour that crowds were leaving the theatres. People were huddled in their hundreds on footways, not daring to, step into the stream and amazed by the unprecedented sight. Taxi-drivers made a harvest. * SHIPPING DELAYS. Numerous delays have occurred to shipping as a result of the weather off the coast, and many small vessels are sheltering. Several overseas vessels also have reported delays owing to the bad weather. A message was received by radio from the Abel Tasman, which was due to-morrow from' Sydney, that she was hove-to 187 miles from North Cape. Provided the gale abates she will probably arrive on Saturday morning. The tanker New Zealand, which is on her way from Lyttelton to Auckland, also has been delayed and is now expected to arrive to-morrow evening. Work on the water front was suspended to-day and several vessels were delayed. As a result, the departure of the Monowai, which was to have left at 3 p.m. to-morrow for Sydney, has been postponed until 4 p.m. The Trojan Star will not now sail until Monday. Advice has been received from the naval mine-sweeper Wakakura, which was to have carried out full calibre firing practice in the vicinity of Omaha Cove, north of Kawau Island, that she is sheltering in Whangarei harbour. The vessel has a number of naval reservists on hoard undergoing training. She was to have returned to port to-morrow, but is now not expected to arrive until evening. WAIKATO VISITATION. HURRICANE WIND. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, May 3. An easterly wind of hurricane force swept through the Waikato this afternoon leaving a trail of minor damage, mainly levelled trellis work fences, signs, and clothes-lines. Considerable damage and inconvenience occurred. Toll and telegraph communications on the southern and eastern lines were interrupted in three places as a result of falling trees. STORM AT RUSSELL. LAND AND SEA. AUCKLAND, May 3. Advices from Russell state that the heaviest seas and highest tides for many years occurred during the storm last night and to-day. At Cape Brett such weather is seldom experienced.

The seas were mountainous and Commander Montague’s yacht Vision, which was lying off Russell, dragged her anchors toward the islands facing Paihia. A launch went to her assistance and towed the Vision back to safety. At the annual camp of .the North Auckland Mounted Rifles at Kensington Park, Whangarei, the men spent an unenviable night. Two large unoccupied tents were blown down and most of the sleeping tents were partly under water. Two houses in Whangarei suffered broken windows from exceptionally strong gusts of wind during the night. Residents at Onerahi state that the gale and- high seas running in the harbour are the worst experienced for very many years. Many dinghies and launches broke from their moorings and were recovered only with considerable difficulty. Falling trees and the high wind have caused tremendous trouble to telephone communication throughout the north. An official stated that faults were everywhere and linesmen have been out all day. ROTORUA IN DARKNESS. INTERRUPTION OF POWER. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, May 4. Rotorua had dinner last evening by candlelight, lamplight, or any other light available, the whole town being in darkness until shortly before 7 p.m. The main power supply from Arapuni had been broken by trees falling across the line, while six power poles were blown over at Mourea and prevented the stand-by plant at Okere being brought into action. Gum trees uprooted in Fenton Street broke telephone communication with the south during the afternoon, while a number of trees were uprooted in various parts of the town and surrounding districts. Windows were blown in in several cases, and some tiles were blown off the roof of the Post Office. Lake Rotorua was very rough and several launches and boats broke their moorings and were washed up on the foreshore. The fire alarm sounded during the period of darkness, the old firebell being used owing to the fact that the electric siren could not be operated. SEVERE AT WHAKATANE BUILDINGS DAMAGED. Per Press Association. WHAKATANE, May 4. The most severe storm for several years was experienced here last night. It damaged buildings on the waterfront to the extent of several hundreds of pounds. - A north-easterly gale unroofed a service station, portion of the Rotorua Motor Transport Company’s new building, and a boat building shed. A fish smoke house collapsed and several motor sheds and fences were blown down. Trees were uprooted and haystacks damaged in many parts of the district. The force of the wind backed up the tide and caused the water to encroach on the roadway and tho wharf shed approaches. The rain for 48 hours was 2.31 inches. RAIN IN BLENHEIM. ROAD INTERRUPTED. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, May 4. Heavy rain, about an inch in 12 hours, fell all over the district throughout the night and continues still. The Main South Road is blocked between Clarence Bridge and Kaikoura. The Black Miller bridge, a temporary structure, has been washed away and workmen and materials have been sent from Kaikoura. They hope to erect a temporary bridge during the day. RAIN AT DUNEDIN. FORBURY CONDITIONS BAD. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 4. There has been continuous, and sometimes heavy, rain since yesterday morning. Conditions at For bury are bad and the Trotting Club committee meets this afternoon to decide regarding to-morrow’s meeting. WET IN WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 4. Heavy rain, accompanied by a thunderstorm, commenced in Wellington just before 2 o’clock this afternoon. EXPERIENCE IN CITY. A ROUGH - NIGHT. Palmerston North and the surrounding district last night experienced one of the heaviest north-east gales for some years. The strong wind wrought considerable damage in gardens and proved most uncomfortable for pedestrians and cyclists. The rainfall was not particularly heavy, however, only three points being recorded for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day. The barometer fell to a marked degree with tlie storm, and Mr T. R. Moore, of “Waimarama,” Terrace End, to-day reported a drop of seven points to 29.2 inches—a very low level. The glass was steady during the morning and prospects were brighter. The rain which fell in the back country caused a fresh in the Manawatu River and at noon it had reached a level of 4ft 3ins. THE FORECAST. STORMY CONDITIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 4. A very intense cyclonic depression covers the Dominion with its centre this morning about the Taranaki Bight. Forecast: Strong southerly winds to gales. Weather: Stormy, with heavy rains and considerable flooding. Snow on the ranges. Temperatures becoming cold. Seas heavy.