SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4175, 6 July 1875, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

(FROM OOE OWN CORRBSPOJIDENT.) Auckland, July sth; The gale last night was very severe, though the damage was not very serious in any one case, but widely.distributed among the coasting vessels. It is estimated in all, about fifteen hundred pounds. At Onehunga the cattle punt capsized, and 37 pigs were, drowned. Gibbon's timber wharf was washed away, and 50,000 feet of timber strewn along the beach. At the Thames last, night lit was the highest tide since the place was settled. Many of the principal business places in Grahamstown had from six to eighteen inches water in them. The > furious gale which was blowing drove the tide in, and backed up the flood waters coming down the creeks in large volumes ; the sea began to rise in the streets of Grahamstown about eleven o'clock, and at Shortland soon afterwards. Albert street was like -"'a,' sea. the strong wind dashing ther water into ■waveß. Every now and then groups «f' men ■ could be seen struggling about in the water, with their trousers up over their knees On the crown of the nad the water was not quite knee-deep, bat it was difficult to cross, and more than one unfortunate came to grief in the water channels. One, woman, in crossing over the footpath in Albert street, was doused over the head before she was dragged out All cellars were filled up, and in several shops considerable damage was done to; goods, standing on the!; floor. At Grahamstown the Wealeyan Church people were astonished, at the close of the service, to find that they could not gel; away from the church-door. The sea had destroyed the fencing, and was surging round the building. Most of the congregation resumed into church, and remained for.the prayer-meeting while the water felL

Large pieces of timber and'boats were thrown on the middle of Brown street Most extensive damage has been_done to the Grahanißtown wharf. At one.time the tide was at least 2 feet over the top, and a large breach was made. Th«S wharf for the reception of the engine and carriages of the Tararu Tramway Company.is a complete wreck.The whole of one side has fallen iii, and the roof tumbled in after it, the foundation having been sapped away by the tide, Two engines fell down with the flood' info the mud. The roads are much damaged, and in many places washed away.