NORTH-WEST GALE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19695, 23 January 1926, Page 3

NORTH-WEST GALE.

SEVERAL STEAMERS BELAYED. A strong north-west gale prevailed in Dunedin yesterday. The conditions generally wore very unpleasant, as although the sky was overcast, the heat -was oppressive The high wind raised dense clouds of dust throughout the city and suburbs, and shops and dwellings were assailed with particles of sand, dirt, and a collection of light rubbish. At times the wind swept the city in fierce gusts. It was at such times that spirals of dust and loose paper were carried skyfwards, only to be lodged in some doorway or outlying place. The wind roared up the harbour as through a funnel, and a heavy sea was running, the waves breaking to a considerable height on the shores. The stormy conditions extended up the coast and out to sea. A heavy sea was breaking outside the Heads, and all vessels traversing the storm area received a rough handling- The Union Company’s chartered steamer Sussex, from Calcutta via northern ports, arrived off the Heads yestei'day afternoon, but was unable to enter port owing to the high wind and also to the fact that it \was low water, and she will lemain at an anchorage until high water to-day. The cargo steamer Martaban, from New York via northern ports, arrived off the Heads early last evening. It was hoped to berth her at Dunedin before sunset, but as the gale showed no abatement, the cantain was instructed to remain at an anchorage for the night. The Martaban will come into port this morning. The Union Company’s cargo steamer Whangape, which left Uyttelton at 5.?0 p.m. on Thursday for Dunedin, had mot been reported from the Heads up to a late hour last night. The vessel is in light trim, and has evidently been delayed by the high wind and heavy sea. The (weather yesterday was what “old salts’’ describe as a “westerly buster.”