GLASSHOUSE WRECKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25214, 29 May 1945, Page 4

GLASSHOUSE WRECKED

TBEES AND POLES DOWN SNOWSTORMS ON EGMONT (0.C.) NEW PLYMOUTH. Monday Damage estimated at about £2OO was done when a large glasshouse and garage were razed at Amata, near New Plymouth, during the storm that has been sweeping Taranaki since yesterday afternoon. The westerly wind has reached gale force in many placed and velocities of up to 62 miles an hour have been recorded at New Plymouth. The demolished buildings were on thp property of .Mr P. Johnson, Hurford Koad. In addition to the glasshouse, which measured 10ft by 25ft, and the garage, damage was done to other outbuildings, the roofs of which were lifted and blown 500 yards. A substantial pine tree was snapped off, and on an adjoining propertv a haystack was blown over and telephone poles were blown down.

Damage elsewhere in Taranaki was confined mainly to electric power and telephone lines, many of which were brought down. Telephone Communications between New Plymouth and Rahotu were cut from yesterday afternoon until this morning. The electricity supply was cut off from thfe Frankleigh Park district and from a section of Stratford borough.

The launch Lord Seal was torn from its moorings inside the New Plymouth breakwater yesterday and was sighted drifting northward along the coast off the month of the Waiwakiaho River early this morning, when two men went out in another launch and brought the Lord Seal back to port. Intermittent heavy showers and lightning have accompanied the gale and temperatures have dropped sharply. Heavy snowstorms are reported to be raging on the higher slopes of Mount and the snow extends two miles down the roads helow the mountain house. RETURNING SOLDIERS ACCOMMODATION QUESTION (0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday Concern was expressed by members of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce today regarding the lack of accommodation for servicemen when they return from overseas. It was explained that in 1942. when the United States armed forces arrived in New Zealand, temporary accommodation was provided and that similar measures should be taken with respect to the returning New Zealand drafts. It was suggested that hotels and hoarding houses should be requisitioned and that the Government should give ihem financial assistance to meet the extra cost involved. It was also considered that Army huts should be made available.

MILITARY DEFAULTER ORDER FOR DETENTION Charged with failing to report at the Wellington drill hall on. February 26, 1942. Leonard Samuel Bruce, aged 34. pcesser (Mr Hogben), pleaded guiltv before -Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., yesterdav. Sub-Inspector Sparks prosecuted. Evidence was given by a records clerk from the Army Department that accused was called up in the ballot in May, 1041. and graded 1 after a medical examination. In September, 3941, he appealed on the ground of conscientious objection, but this was dismissed. A further appeal by his employer on the grounds ot public interest was also dismissed. A mobilisation order was sent to him in January, 1942, but he failed to report and was gazetted a defaulter. Since he had been apprehended recently accused had made a further appeal which had been dismissed. -Mr Hogben said that accused had been three years waiting for a summons from the nolice. He had made no attempt to evade in any way. His employment had been approved by' the manpower authorities. Mr Luxford: 1 would like some explanation as to how this man can go about for three years undetected and be employed with the authority of the manpower authorities.

Mr Sparks said that the police had been unable to locate accused as he had changed his address. It was not until a constable went to see him about the payment of his levy that he was detected.

The magistrate ordered accused to be detained in a defaulters' camp. CRIPPLED CHILDREN £BSO FOR WILSON HOME A cheque for £650. representing two years' contributions from a fund originally provided by Lord Nuffield, was received trom the New Zealand Crippled Children Society at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last night. The Auckland branch of the society added £2OO to the amount, making a total oi £BSO. The money is to be spent on the provision of services and equipment at the Wilson Home for Crippled Children. The proposed services include the establishment of an occupational therapy department with a fully-trained occupational therapist and the provision of travelling scholarships for staff members, in addition to gymnasium equipment and salt water baths. WOMAN STRUCK BY CAR Knocked down by a motor-car ins Queen Street last evening. Mrs Catherine Emma Sheehan. aged 68, of 62 Symonds Street, suffered concussion and lacerations. She was admitted to the Auckland Hospital where her condition is regarded as serious.