ON THE WEST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13498, 27 May 1907, Page 5

ON THE WEST COAST.

SOME ROUGH TRIPS.

Wild weather conditions have prevailed far • several days on the west coast, fierce westerly gales being met with, accompanied by 'heavy rain squalls, with a big sea runnine; all the time. '"■ ' The s.s. Takapuna experienced heavy weather on her run to New Plymouth, after leaving Onehunga on Friday. At New Plymouth a, heavy sea was running at the breakwater, and on the return trip to Onehunga the vessel had a -lively time, especially in crossing the bar yesterday morning, when several heavy seas were shipped. However, the Takapuna got through in good style, and berthed well up to, time. The s.s. Rarawa, which came up from New Plymouth on Saturday morning, found the Manukau Bar in a turbulent condition, but crossed, and reached Onehunga at nine a.m.

By the Rarawa, Mr. J. Wallace, of Mangere, brought 364 sheep from Taranaki, and the animals received a bad shaking up. None of the sheep were lost in making port, though a number died from shock after being landed at Onehunga. The s.s. Weka had a rough time on her way to Waiuku on Saturday, meeting with the full force of the gale. :" . _ 'Throughout yesterday the gale- continued to. blow,: while squally weather was the order. Under the circumstances .it was apparent that the Rarawa could not attempt the passage of the bar in the afternoon, for huge seas were breaking in continuously. ' Although not able to go out, the 'Rarawa / departed from Onehunga at ten minutes past four p.m., to anchor inside the heads, with 'a view to making the passage at about eight o'clock this morning, when, should there be no chance of getting through, the steamer will return to Onehunga. '; - Several racehorses were to have come up from New-Plymouth .yesterday, but the authorities declined the responsibility under the circumstances. • ,■ -

The tide was very high atOnehunga on Saturday and yasterday.- Duriag yesterday a large quantity of ' sawn timber was floating' about' in Geddes' 'Basin, "most of which eventually went down the harbour.