STORMY WEATHER IN THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12268, 12 May 1903, Page 5

STORMY WEATHER IN THE SOUTH.

HULK AND SMALL CRAFT DRIVEN ASHORE.

[by TELEGRAPH.—- ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. A storm of unusual' severity was experienced here last night, followed by heavy rain. Some damage was done to the public baths at Te Aro. The Union Company's coal hulk Occident was piled up on Oriental Bay beach, and several small craft also went ashore.

Hokitika, Monday. Heavy rain fell yesterday, and the rivers are in high flood. The contractor for the Hokitika River bridge has suffered considerable lot®, and the engine working the derricks has been washed down the river. [UY TELEGRAM.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington l -, Monday.

The gale which raged in Wellington last night was one of the most severe felt here for some time. A good deal of damage was clono to gardens, fences, etc., throughout the city. A part of the scaffolding of the Customhouse, which is in course of erection opposite the ferry wharf, was blown down. Several passengers who were making for the s.s. Duchess at the time had a narrow escape from being struck by the falling timbers, some of which fell upon the railing of the s.s. Loyalty with considerable force. Some of the many new buildings in coarse of erection on the hills around Wellington suffered more or less damage, and the framework of at least one was blown down._ While the gale was at its height last night the Union Company's hulk Occident, which has been lying idle in the stream ever since she was towed into Wellington from Auckland by the Hawea 011 December 18, 1901, broke away from one of the Harbour Board's buoys, and went ashore right in the middle of Oriental Bay, where she is now lying broadside on. It'is improbable that the hulk has received much damage.