GALE AT SUVA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11857, 8 January 1902, Page 5

GALE AT SUVA.

The Western Pacific , Herald,. of December 27, says : —Since Saturday last, when the barometer stood at 30.068, the glass had been steadily falling. Christmas morning broke very calm and still, but with a slight air from the northward, and at nine a.m. the glass was at 29.800.. There was a drop or two of rain during the day, but during the night the rain commenced to fall in "real earnest, and the wind commenced to rise at the same time. Yesterday morning it was raining in torrents and the wind was of almost hurricane force. At nine a.m. the barometer had fallen to 29.628, and 3.18 in of rain had fallen. Pears were now entertained that we were in for a hurricane, and storekeepers . and householders alike commenced to batten tip their doors and windows and otherwise prepare for a ''blow." The Kia Ora and Clyde, which were lying at the wharf steamed off to an anchorage at Korovou, while the Wanaka and Manapouri were steaming slowly ahead to take the strain off their cables. At eleven a.m. the glass stood at 29.560; at twenty minutes to twelve a.m. it was '..29.540 ; and at five minutes to twelve it : had fallen to 29.487., This was the lowest point reached, the wind then coming in fierce gusts' from the south-west, with a force of six. ■■■' The barometer now commenced to tee slowly, but surely, and we realised that we had again escaped a blow. At twenty-five minutes past twelve the reading was 29.527, force seven, wind from the south, ■ and at ten minutes to one it had risen to 29.543 ; j and continued to rise, and the danger passed } our doors.' ; This morning *at nine o'clock ! the reading was 29.862. The rain ceased I about mid-day yesterday, and 3.18 in were i recorded; or over "an inch and a-hal£ per hour. The Suva water supply was the greatest sufferer. ; There was a big landslip up the Tamavua, which carried away several of the pipes completely. .Shipping escaped :very well, and with | the ;'. exception of one -or two small craft, [ there was no damage done at all.