GALE AND RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22615, 31 December 1936, Page 10

GALE AND RAIN

STORM OVER AUCKLAND , HARBOUR INCIDENTS BOATS BREAK MOORINGS LITTLE SERIOUS DAMAGE A strong north-westerly wind and heavy rain were responsible for very stormy conditions in Auckland yesterday. It was the culmination of several days of threatening weather and when the storm/was at its height, with a full tide on the harbour, some damage was caused to small pleasure craft which broke from their moorings. Conditions were made extremely unpleasant for campers and holiday-makers generally, but in spite of the fact that tho wind reached considerable force on occasions, very little serious damage was done. The most serious mishap to pleasure craft occurred at Devonport, where the 32ft. launch Tamauri, owned by Lowe Brothers,, of Williams Street, Devonport, broke away from her stern mooring and was buffeted against the ferry wharf. The cabin and decking wero damaged to some extent before the launch was secured and taken to comparative shelter on the other side of the wh'.irf. The- naval yacht Viking also broke away froiii her moorings near the Devonport Naval Base at about 11 o'clock and was drifting up harbour. It took the comb,ined efforts of three naval launches to arrest her drift and to restore her to her moorings. Some Boats Damaged On the southern side of the harbour several yachts broke from their moorings in Mechanics' Bay and outside the eastern breakwater. Two boats were driven ashore at Bastion Point and another near tho Aicarana \acht Club s boathouse. The yachts wero secured before any great damage was done, but several smaller boats wero flung on to the rocks, where their planks were stove in by the lashing of the waves. In numerous other instances pleasure craft which were seen to be dragging at their moorings were brought ashore and beached, while in some cases the moorings were made more secure and anchors were put down. Even at low tide in the afternoon, yachtsmen and launch-owners could be seen attending to their craft on the eastern ■waterfront and making them secure for the evening tide. Apart from mishaps to pleasure craft, damage on the waterfront was practically -negligible. In some cases trees, chiefly shallow-rooted wattles, were blown down and along the waterfront whole stretches of the roadway wero stained crimson with pohutukawa blossom, scattered from the trees by the force of tho wind. Traffic standards on the waterfront road had also been toppled oyer unmercifully. Plight of Campers

Holiday vjsitors in motor camps and at seaside resorts had an uncomfortable day, but generally they bore the experience of monotonous hours under canvas with commendable philosophy. There were practically no departures from either the Western Springs or Takapuna motor camps, although some of the visitors had to rise early yesterday morning and fasten their tents more securely. The main difficulty experienced was in the case of families ""with children, -who did not take kindly to hours of inactivity in the cramped space of a tent.

However, at Western Springs particularly, the motor campers appeared reasonably comfortable. The camp hardly received the full force of the wind and- the pitching of most of the ten Is showed that their owners were experienced in the art. The camp cookhouse was a most welcome facility, as cioking in a tent yesterday would have been an unpleasant experience. Some campers during the day made inquiries regarding the weather farther north, obviously considering moving on if possible," but when they heard that the stormy conditions were general they decided to remain weather-bound for a day.

Holiday Makers Return One'effect of the stormy weather was to bring many people hurrying back to Auckland from near by beach resorts. However, in numerous other cases city dwellers who had let their homes furnished for the holidays had to remain at the beaches whether they wished to return or not. The stormy conditions for once did not bring in their train the usual disturbances and delays in telegraph and telephone communications. The Post and Telegraph Department reported yesterday that there had been complete freedom from breakdowns or instances of interference. Generally in the case of an easterly storm properties on the Takapuna and Milford waterfront suffer considerably. After the last serious storm in February most residents with beach frontages erected new retaining walls of considerable strength and without exception these all stood up excellently to yesterday's rough conditions. No Serious Flooding Although the rain was heavy there was no serious flooding in the low-l.ving areas adjacent to the city. The general impression is that the ground has been so parqhed by the recent spell of dry weather that it would take much heavier rain than that so far experienced to cause surface water to accumulate in any great quantity. Apart from the damage caused hv tho wind to flower beds and shrubs, yesterday's weather will probably he welcomed by most amateur gardeners, as tho occasional showers of tho last few weeks have not obviated the necessity for tho •use of hoses. The rain which fell yesterday was reasonably warm and should have a beneficial effect in freshening up the landscape. One place where the rain was not welcomed was at Alexandra Park where, in defiance of tho weather, the second day of the Auckland Trotting Club's Summor Meeting was held. Conditions throughout the day wero most unpleasant. All other sporting events in the city were postponed and, as a result of"the rain, there was no work on the. waterfront. 't , ,