CYCLONIC GALE AND STORMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7090, 31 March 1910, Page 5

CYCLONIC GALE AND STORMS

VISITOR PROM PUI ACCURACY OF irETEOROLOGIST’S FORECASTS. Probably nobody got any enjoyment ■out of the cyclonic disturbance which swept over the North Island of New Zealand during Tuesday night and yesterday, but there is one man who is certainly entitled to regard tho visitation with L?ome degree of satisfaction, for he predicted it. Tt is, of course, the special business of tho Government Meteorologist to fofecast the weather, but whether it bo good or bad it must be some pleasure to an enthusiast like the Rev. D. C. Bates to have his predictions fulfilled —to find that his readings and calculations arc accurate.

"A storm area is approaching the North Island I Expect strong easterly gale and very heavy rain—rivers flooded—glass fall—sea considerable/’ 'That is the essence of telegraphic warnings Air Bates had been sending far and wide across the North Island from Saturday to Tuesday, and sure enough the Meteorologist was correct. For a thorough understanding of the position it is necessary to go a little into detail. Cyclonic disturbances commence to gyrate south of tho equator. in the direction of the hands of a watch. At first they are of enormous force, but of small circumference, and they usually follow the track of the prevailing winds. Thus, the cyclone which commenced to revolve north of Fiji* and caused considerable damage there, on Thursday night last . travelled south-westward towards New Caledonia, and then crossed its path and passed between Lord Howe island and Norfolk Island. Yesterday morning at 9 o’clock a barometric reading of 29 inches was recorded at Russell. This is the lowest cyclonic reading that has been recorded in New Zealand since Juno 26th* 1907. Though these disturbances usually extend and lose their intensity in the higher latitudes, this disturbance continued, and po©sessed great intensity. Last Monday, the storm wa© heralded by gloomy and showery Weather north of East Cape and Kawhia. On Tuesday morning there were moderate gales reported in two or three places, but on 'Tuesday night the wind reached almost hurricane force in. parts of the country north of East Capo and Kawhia. A thunderstorm occurred in tho north before midnight, and rain descended in torrents, causing flood© in various places. Full reports of these are not yet available, owing' to the damage to telegraph wires; in fact, since noon yesterday all stations north of the Waikato were cut off from communication.

The lowest reading recorded last night was 29.40 inches ‘at East Cape, and the barometric pressure will probably decrease there, as the centre of the cyclone was lilsely to advance in that direction during last night. Heavy rain has fallen, and is likely to continue, on the east coast between East Cape and Peninsula. A high pressure is following in the rear of this disturbance, and there will be southerly winds, probably of great intensity, in the Tasman Sea between the North. Island and Sydney. There will be rough seas on the east coast to-day, especially north of Cape Campbell and in. Cook Strait. The eea will also increase on the west coast of the North Island shortly. REPORTS FROM THE NORTH OHINEMUBI RIVER FLOODS THE TOWN. PEES 3 ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, March 30. The Ohinemuxi River flooded its banks at 7.30 this morning, and the streets of the township were flooded to a depth of three feet in places. The water ran down the main street at a great rate. tlie lower parts of the town being rapidly submerged. Most of the shops in the main s&eet were flooded,- and houses in Eye lane, Fnko and Junction roads were more or less flooded. , So far, no more serious damage Is reported, but the flood is bound to do a good deal of damage. WILD TIMES IN TARANAKI HURRICANE CAUSES MUCH DAMAGE. PBESS ASSOCIATION. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 30. The ‘Rates storm” burst over Taranaki early this morning with cyclonic fury, destruction in all directions marking the visitation. Very little rain has fallen, but the hurricane-like blasts have reached a velocity never hitherto experienced on this coast. To-night the gale shows no sign of abatement. Considerable damage has been done, fences, stables, chimneys, verandah', trees, etc., being down in all directions, and there were many narrow escapes from flying iron and timber, but no casualties are reported. ■ largo twostoried show-rooms in Devon street, just vacated, collapsed in a mass of ruins. AH kinds of reports are current of overturning of buildings, coaches, and traps in outlying districts, which it is impossible to verify; but everything points to the damage being considerable. • This morning the Taranaki Petroleum Company’s No. i derrick collapsed, omd during the afternoon reports reached town that No. 3 was also a victim to the cyclone’s fury, while the New Zealand Standard Oil Company's Vogel town derrick had also gone. Palling trees in town disorganised several sections of telephone wires, while the electric lighting system is also out of gear in some localities. Tnere is scarcely a property not affected to some extent, and the aggregate damage must be fairly considerable. Shipping is not venturing out of port to-night. A fishing craft at Moturoa sank' at her moorings this morning. As showing the force of the wind it may be mentioned that a woman crossing one of the streets this morning was caught by a heavy gust, lifted some feet in the air, dropped to the ground, and rolled across the roadway. ON THE EAST COAST SERIOUS FLOODS FEARED ABOUND GISBORNE. miss associatton. ■ GISBORNE, March 30. Heavy rain has been falling continuously since Monday afternoon, and at present thero is no prospect of a cessation. The record for the twenty-four hours preceding 9 o'clock this morning was 3.39 in, making a total of 6.6 m for forty-eight hours. It is blowing an easterly gale, and all rivers are Tismg rapidly, giving prospects of a disastrous flood similar to that of four years ago. Already dead stock is floating down the rivers, and hundreds of acres of land are under water. The MonSwai, on her way here from Auckland, is sheltering at Te Araroa. This evening’s train is blocked at Ormond, eleven miles out from town, by a big wash-out on the line.

Settlers are having a most anxious time, and are removing stock to the higher levels. Coaching services are entirely suspended. _ NAPIER, March 30.

A storm of exceptional severity is raging over the district. The rainlail during the past three days tit-ds nearly five, inches. . , n , , , The rivers are if. heavy Hood, but there is no serious danger at prevent. Rain continues to-night, and the Tutackuri river is in flood. The water is high up on the stop-bank at Meeanec, and portions of tho Papakura district aro flooded. Press Association advices from Feilding state a violent south-easterly gale struck the town early, yesterday morning, accompanied by ram. It was the woisF experienced there for a considerable time. So far no damage has been reported. A gale of aome force was experienced in Marlborough yc-terday and last evening, but beyond the smashing of troos little damage was reported. TELEGRAMS TO THE POST OFFICE THE WIRES DOWN. Tho Secretary of tho Post Office yesterday received numerous telegrams Irom various parts of the North Island acquainting him of the serious gale experienced. Prom Paeroa Kune a wire: ‘‘Heaviest flood ever known in Paeroa occurred this morning. Tho streets are submerged to a depth of threo or four feet. The Auckland wire faded while this message was being received. At 11.45 am.;—“Communication with Auckland totally interrupted, .Work with north of Hamilton will be heavily delayed. Communication with Pipiriki interrupted. Communication bdyond 'VVairangi at French Pass line was also interrupted. At 9.30 a.m. Auckland reported: ’ Lost stations between Paeroa and Tauranga. Heavy flood. Work subject to heavy delay.’’ Tho chief postmaster received the following telegram yesterday at 3.23 pan. from the acting chief postmaster at New Plymouth: “ On© of tho worst gales t experienced her© for years is now blowing, and considerable damage to property is baing done. The coach to Opuuako is blocked, and mails will probably not get further than Omata.”

Tho department issued on tho preceding day to stations on the east and west coasts and Auckland district the weather reporter's forecast of the storm, the conditions' being most accurately gauged.