FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23000, 30 March 1938, Page 10

FIFTY YEARS AGO

STORM IN WELLINGTON Serious damage to communications with different parts of the colony was caused half a century ago by a storm which had its centre in Wellington. Reports of its violence were not received in Auckland until two clays later, when the following .account was published in the New Zealand Hkhald of March 30, 1888: "One of the severest storms that has been experienced here for years swept over Wellington 011 Wednesday night, accompanied by a tidal wave which rose in the harbour to within 18 inches of the breastwork. The storm caused very heavy damage in the town, and the Government railway line" between Kaiwarra and Petone is so far damaged that it is anticipated that large part will have to be reconstructed. The high sea carried away several boatsheds in Oriental Bay and tore down one side of the Te Aro baths. Serious interruption to telegraphic r-nninumwa-tions was caused, and Wellington lias been practically isolated from other parts of the colony. During the storm the water rose 40 feet higlv?r than has been knowri before flt thepilot station. It was also very high nil around the neighbouring; coast." £