STORM AT DANNEVIRKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19474, 2 November 1926, Page 8

STORM AT DANNEVIRKE.

GRANDSTAND ROOF REMOVED ANXIETY AT THE HOSPITAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DANNEVTRKE, Monday. A westerly hurricane prevailed over southern Hawke's Bay last night, tbe conditions being very similar to those on the disastrous Labour Day m October, 1917, when a big fire occurred. Much minor damage to fences, sheds and windows is reported, and gardens have suffered severely. The showgrounds of the Dannevirke Agricultural and Pastoral Association seem to have been the centre of the cyclonic disturbance. Here the roof of the spacious grandstand was completely lifted off and deposited, practically intact, afc the back of the building. The walk of the structure were not damaged, but an iron shed near the stand was demolished.

At the hospital, sheets of iron were blown off the roof of the women's ward, and help had to be summoned to batten down what was left, while tiles were also stripped off the new portion of £he building. The women patients in the outdoor shelters had to b«> ramoved to the main building, being iu danger from a chimney which threatened to collapse.

Log fires at 'J'ataramoa and Matamau were fanned by the gale and made travelling by road hazardous and difficult owing to the driving clouds of smoku.