FORCE OF WHIRLWIND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21509, 5 June 1933, Page 8

FORCE OF WHIRLWIND

DOMINION ROAD DAMAGE

SHOP VERANDAH LIFTED INTERRUPTION TO POWER A whirlwind of considerable force lifted half the verandah of a shop at the corner of Dominion Road and Prospect Terrace shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday. Sheets of roofing iron were hurled many yards away, one being deposited on the over-head electric-power wires, causing an interruption in the service until repairs could be effected. Damage to trees and fences in the vicinity also resulted, but the path of the whirlwind, which lasted only a few minutes, was restricted. The entire section of the suspension verandah of the stationery shop of Mrs. W. J.' Goodall, fronting Prospect Terrace, was wrenched off by the force of the wind. The greater part of it landed on the footpath, but stray sheets of iron were carried considerable distances. One piece travelled about 50 yards along Prospect Terrace until its progress was arrested by a telegraph pole. Another was carried high in the air and deposited in a garden three houses away.

"I thought it was a thunderbolt at first," said Mrs. C4ooda!l, who was in the kitchenette rear of the shop at the time. "The interruption of the power caused vivid sparks in the kitchenette." The telephone in the house was also put out of commission.

ROUGH WEATHER IN CITY MANUKAU BAR UNWORKABLE The boisterous westerly weather, which had been experienced for fiva days, continued duriDg the week-end, the sky being cloudy and threatening until early yesterday afternoon, when a fierce squall and heavy rain was experienced. The squall commenced about two o'clock and was accompanied by a heavy downpour for a short period. Afterwards the wind blew in gusts and heavy showers were experienced at frequent intervals until the evening, when the rain ceased, but the conditions continued boisterous and wintry. The sea is very rough on the West Coast and the Manukau Bar has been unworkable for four days. The motor vessels Ronaki and Hokianga, which left Onehunga for Hokianga on Thursday evening, are still barbound. A report from the heads last evening stated that the sea on the bar was moderating yesterday afternoon, but the wind then increased to gale force, and 'the bar again became very rough. After rising slowly since Friday evening, the barometer was steadyat 29.80 in. yesterday morning. Shortly before mid-day it commenced falling again and during the' afternoon the reading reached 29.65 in., but a slight rise was recorded in the evening. .