DAMAGE BY HAIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 12

DAMAGE BY HAIL

MATAKANA DISTRICT

PART OF ROOF COLLAPSES MOTOR DRIVERS' DIFFICULTIES [nv TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WARKWORTH, Friday Tho hailstorm which broke over the Matakana district yesterday was most severe at Whangateau, about half-way between Matakana and Leigh, where hail fell steadily from 1.45 p.m. to 5 p.m. and was exceptionally deep on tho roads, paddocks and mudbanks of the Omaha' Harbour. At Dacre's Claim the roof over one room of Mr. L- 11. Collings' house collapsed under tho weight of the hail. Jlrs. Collings was in tho house with three neighbours when the mishap occurred and the hail rapidly spread through the house, thero being water in every room within a very short time. Considerable damage was done to linoleum, carpets and wallpaper.

Mr. Collings was away in his motor truck and when about half a mile from home found the hail piled deep on the road. Progress was impossible as the wheels merely spun round and he went home on foot. His son set out in another truck to tow the other vehicle in, but he, too, became stuck, and the two trucks had to be abandoned for the night. Service-car proprietors were advised of the condition of the road by telephone but the driver of a car attempted the journey to Leigh, and after driving through hail Ift. deep for .about a mile and a-half became stuck at Dacre's Elat. The driver and his only passenger were accommodated at Mr. Collings' home for the night and even this morning had considerable difficulty in proceeding to Leigh. Tho roads were still very slushy to-night. Tea-tree, puriri and other native trees were stripped bare of their leaves. The tide was out when the hail fell on the mudflats of the Omaha Harbour, and it accumulated in ice-like masses, which were broken up when the tide rose. Fortunately there were few lambs in the district and no stock losses are reported.