GALE IN TARANAKI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21503, 29 May 1933, Page 10

GALE IN TARANAKI

CONSIDERABLE • DAMAGE

ROOF TORN OFF HOUSE FENCES AND TREES SUFFER [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH. Sunday North Taranaki was swept by a howling south-cast gale yesterday, the first of tho winter, and with gusts of wind reaching a high veloouy considerable damage was done. A largo house in Water Lane, New Plymouth, owned by Mrs. H. Lehrke, lost most of tho roof. Corrugated iron was completely torn away from over three rooms on tho southern side of the buildings and tho debris was carried for over 200 yds. At tho corner of Young Street and Water Lane tho verandah of a house was wrec'» j d by flying iron and timber, and windows were smashed. The roof was also blown off a shed in the Sash and Door Company's yard. Gardens suffered extensively and soveral largo trees were blown down or have been broken by the force of the gale. Fences, too, suffered, and several in tho more exposed portions of tho town were blown down. In Devon Street a wooden sign was blown through a shop window, leaving a large liolo.

Some electrical service leads were blown down, but tho damage to tho borough electrical system was of small consequence. The gale caused some inconvenience to shipping at the port. The departure of tho Port Fairey for Nelson was delayed, but she was finally despatched by tho harbourmaster, Captain 0. F. Mclntyre, a fine feat considering tho galo which was blowing. Tho sudden cliango in the temperature caused by the cold wind will no doubt mean tho virtual closing of another dairying season. However, as far as production is concerned, tho season has been a good ono and longer than usual.