THE GALE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3447, 31 May 1898, Page 2

THE GALE.

The pale showed no signs of abatement yesterday, and its effects are being aerivisly felt in shipping circles. With three exceptions, the prevailing wind all over the oelony at 9 a.m yesterday was from the south, the exceptions being Patea, whore a fresh northeasterly breeze was blowing; Blenheim, light north-weatoily wind, with frost, and BaT olutha, a fresh north-westerly. The sea on the West Coast was reported to bo smooth, with a heavy frost all over the country. The officers of the Poheru\ rep >rt that that steamer left Wostp >rfc at <1 a m. on Sunday* and had fine, clear weather until The Brothers was reached. Then the full force of the south-easterly gale was encountered, with mountainous seas that threatened to overwhelm the ship. Whan the steamer entered the harbour she had a heavy list to port, her cargo of coal having shifted during the trying time experienced in the Strait. The local agents received a telephone message from Makara early yesterday afternoon to the effect that the Wakatu, which left Pioton at 1 p.m. on Sunday, was shelteriug in Ohau Bay in a disabled condition. Subsequent information received was that two blades of the propeller were lost through it “racing” when the steamer Was going through the ** rip ” off Cape Terawbiti. The passengers were lauded at Ohariu Bay, and brought into town by special conveyance. Two of the passengers were Mrs L. Blundell and Mr Davidson. The steamer will remain in her present position until the weather moderates, when she will come on to Wellington and be placed on the patent slip to receive a new propeller. With the exception of the Takapuna and Rofcomahana, all steamers rein i led in port last evening, the accounts of the terrific sea in the Strait fully justifying the masters and agents in their resolution. The Warrimoo’s departure for Sydney has been postponed until C o’clock this mor ing. Captain Robb, one of the signalmen stationed at Beacon Hill, is of opinion that the seas came higher up the beach on Sunday night than it has for the past ten years. His boat, lying 10 yards above high-water mark, was carried awayjand dashed to pieces on the rooks.

The wind at the Heads yesterday afternoon was reported to be decreasing, but the soa was running “ mountains high.” Both H,M.S,*s Taurauga and Torch are to leave for the South to-day, but the order for sailing is subject to alteration if the weather does not improve. Tne cutters had a lively time yesterday iu transferring provisions to their respective ships. Advice from Wanganui yesterday stated that there was little chance of the steamers in port getting away. The bar-bound vessels are the Moa, foe Westport, and tho Huia, Mauaroa and Charles Edward, for Wellington. The Mana and Aorere are similarly situated at Patea.

The Herald, coal-lalen from Weatport to Southern po-Ms, ran inti Port Underwood yesterday morning for shelter, and will in all probability rentiu there until tho gale moderates.

The departure of tho Mawhera. for Pioton, Nelson and tho West Ooait was postponed an til 10 o’clock last night, and as chore was no improvement in the wovhoc at that hour, it was denied to still fu-ther defer her departure until 7 a.m to-day. An midnight the signalmen at Beacon Hill reported that the sea at iho Holds was moderating fast, and thvfc tho wind was chopping rouu I to tho ovitw.ir.i. A very heavy sea Was runaiar when the Takapuna passed out, but it hvi greity decreased when the Bobomahan t steamed through over an hour later.

THE WEATHER ELS I WHERE. H<j C<tlajravh. .L?so •» Christchurch:, jM ty 3D, The weather is bitterly coll, and al tern ltd showers of rain and sleafc are falling. The same weather prevailed yesterday, accompanied by a south-west gale. The hills are covered with snow. TREMENDOUS SE A ON THE OOA3 L*. Bg Telegraph.—Fress Association. Timaru, May 30. Tho heaviest sou herly sea since the winter of 1895 has been running all day and btill continue?. There is no shipping in port. The sea has had considerable effect on tho shingle* ths accumulation south of tho breakwater surMiue being now out to the bend of tho work. Gisborne, May 30. The hjavict sea known for many years is raging along the coast.