GALE IN AUCKLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 58, 5 February 1938, Page 11

GALE IN AUCKLAND.

BOISTEROUS CONDITIONS. INCONVENIENCE AND DAMAGE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 4. A strong -gale swept Auckland city and parts of the province to-day, causing damage and inconvenience in a number of localities. Shipping was interfered with, and the rain which accompanied the storm made conditions most unpleasant. A high wind which raged intermittently in districts south of Auckland, demolished a cowbail at Paparimu, 14 miles from Papakura, hurled the roof and two sides of the building a quarter of a mile and severely damaged the milking plant. Varying reports as to the intensity of the storm were received from country areas. Several neighbourhoods suffered inconvenience from dislocated telephone and electric power services. HEAVY WEATHER ON HARBOUR.

Stormy conditions, which they described as the worst they had ever experienced on the Waitemata, were encountered by Customs officers and shipping company officials who went down the harbour this afternoon in the launch Olive Jean to meet the Oronsay, but returned without boarding the vessel. The launch faced the seas remarkably well and suffered no damage, but seven men on board had an unenviable trip and were wet to the skin.

The high seas were met as soon as the launch left the shelter of Queen’s wharf about 4.30 p.m. Waves crashed over the hows and flooded across .the decking., while heavy rain beat into the cabin. Practically all shipping to-day was at a standstill. Arriving in Rangitoto channel in the afternoon after a tempestuous voyage down the coast, the Orient cruise liner Oronsav anchored off Rangitoto, her commander having regard to the possible inconvenience to passengers had she attempted to berth. Incoming ships reported gale conditions at sea. The Union Companv’s steamer Waiotapu. met rough weather nearing Cape Maria van Diemen on the voyage from Geelong, to Auckland, and heavy seas and a high wind were experienced on the voyage down the coast ,the ship’s arrival being delayed some hours. Coastal ships ran for shelter. FERRIES BUFFETED. Rough conditions ori the harbour made travelling uncomfor hslble for ferry boat passengers on their trips across. Though pleasure craft at moorings in any but the most sheltered localities were plunging wildly, little damage was reported. . < Precautions' to prevent floating gear breaking away were taken at Pan-American Airways’ base in Mechanics’ Bay. Additional lines from the landing barge were put ashore, provision having been made when the base was built for such an emergency to be met with the minimum of delav. Unusually high tides were experienced.