STORM IN NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23718, 26 July 1940, Page 6

STORM IN NORTH

GALE AND HEAVY RAIN HORSES SWIM TO SAFETY PLEASURE CRAFT WRECKED [BT TELEGRAPH —OWN* CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Thursday High seas off the east coast, flooding in country districts and an easterly gale which brought down a number of trees, telephone poles and wireless masts, marked the passage of a storm over North Auckland yesterday and last night. A total of 6in. of rain fell in 48 hours in Whangarei, but to-day the wind moderated and only light rain has fallen. Interruptions were caused to the telephone and telegraph services south of Whangarei when two poles were blown down at Otaika, but at 9..30 o'clock this morning linesmen had repaired the damage. A tree fell acioss telephone lines in Whangarei without breaking them. Heavy Seas Raging Particularly heavy seas are raging off the east coast and, with the high wind and rain squalls, visibility is poor. The crew of a coastal vessel which arrived at Whangarei this morning reported a very rough trip up the coast from Auckland. For a time last night the power service to some of the northern districts was interrupted. Xo serious flooding has beep reported, but some of the main roads are blocked for traffic. Further north, although water has crossed roads in low-lying sections, large motor-cars have been able to get through. In the Whakapara and Hukerenui areas light cars cannot negotiate the road, and the Russell road is reported to be impassable. Similar conditions prevail on the Whangarei-Dargaville route, traffic proceeding through the Houtu district, which, although flooded, can be. negotiated by large cars. Water Across Roads The Matigakahia route north is flooded, and south of Whangarei the road is inundated at Otaika and is likely to be impassable at high tide. At a deviation has been almost completed by the Public Works Department and this will obviate flooding. A slip also occurred on the road at Kaiwaka, but it was quickly cleared. Areas at Waiotu were flooded and at one farm nine draught horses were caught by the rising waters. To reach high and safe ground they had to swim across the flood. The Bay of Islands felt the full force of the gale, and the high seas to-day prevented the cream launch from making its usual trip collecting .supplies from the farmers abound the bay. At Opua a 25ft. pleasure launch, owned by Mr. E. Smith, broke from its moorings and was wrecked at Paihia. BOMBER IN GALE f • FORCED TO MAKE LANDING ANCHORED FOR THE NIGHT MACHINE ESCAPES DAMAGE

[by telegraph OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Thursday

Forced to land at the auxiliary aerodrome at Kerikeri yesterday afternoon by the gale prevailing, a Baffin bomber in the service of the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Whenuapai was kept anchored in the open with difficulty during the storm last night. However, the machine weathered the conditions without damage. After the machine had been landed in the strong wind a member of the crew telephoned Constable F. L. Ryan, of Ohaeawai, who organised a party of public works employees and went to the aerodrome. No hangar or shelter was available, but the aeroplane was securely anchored to the ground, as well as being fastened to a heavy motor-lorry. A party of men stood watch beside the bomber throughout the night. NO DAMAGE IN CITY , SHIPPING INCONVENIENCED A south-easterly gale swept Auckland early yesterday morning. •Developing from a strong north-east wind on Wednesday night, the gale, which was accompanied by a steady drop in barometric pressure and heavy rain, did little damage other than breaking branches off a few trees. All craft in the harbour were securely moored and, although shipping was inconvenienced by an exceptionally high tide, there were no mishaps. Following fogs on Monday and Tuesday, when pressure was high, the barometer dropped steadily from 30.39 in. at midnight 011 Tuesday to 29.62 in. at six o'clock last evening. The drop was checked slightly at six o'clock yesterday morning, when 29.86 in. was recorded, but the decline continued at 9 a.m.

The Union Company's motor-ship Waiana, which sailed early yesterday morning for Lvttelton, was forced by the gale, which was particularly strong in the Hauraki Gulf, where high seas were running, to shelter in Rangitoto Channel all day.

Seas were generally very heavy on the east coast yesterday. A cyclonic disturbance north of Cape Maria van Diemeu was reported yesterday, and the Dominion weather forecast last night predicted strong south-east gales, with dull, unsettled weather and further rain.

The strong south-east wind continued throughout yesterday and developed a more southerly tendency toward the evening. The barometer recorded 29.56 in. at midnight. Rainfall recorded by the Herald gauge for the 24 hours ended at midnight amounted to .14in.