STORMY WEATHER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23254, 25 January 1939, Page 12

STORMY WEATHER

CHATHAM ISLANDS GALE STEAMER BADLY BUFFETED WHARF APPROACHES DAMAGED [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday A story of fierce gales and heavy seas at the Chatham Islands was told on the arrival of the steamer Tees at Lyttelton. The Tees was at the islands during the period of low atmospheric pressure which caused damage in New Zealand, and at the islands the weather was very stormy. For nine days the little vessel was badly buffeted, moving from anchorage to anchorage as the wind shifted. She had some passengers 011 hoard, also four Maoris who had been taken on to assist with the cargo. It was impossible to land these men and in the meantime they had to he paid £1 a day each. There was a heavy sea running when the Toes arrived at "VVaitangi, and the approach to the wharf was made with the greatest difficulty. A horse was landed, also general cargo; and 560 bales of wool were loaded. It was learned from those on shore that the sea had been the heaviest for many years. At one stage the water threatened the hotel on the beach. Big seas had swept right over the wharf, damaging the approaches and entering the wharf office.