FURIOUS STORMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19695, 23 January 1926, Page 12

FURIOUS STORMS

HURRICANE AT RAEITHL BUSH FIRES RACING. SETTLERS HOMES BURNED. (Per United Press Association.) KAETTHT. January 22. In consequence of a hoavy wind of almost hurricane force many people hastily loft the Raetihi sports. Fires are spreading in all directions, the road between Ohakune and Raetihi being impassable. Several houses are reported to have been burnt, and several refugees have reached Raetihi. The wind has changed now and threatens Raetihi with bush fires. Trains will probably bo blocked for some hours at least. Many people will have to stay in Raotihi to-night, being unable to get home. ihe last car to get through the RaetihiOhakune road reports that the passage is now impassable, and the wooden bridge is burning fiercely. 'lhe houses occupied by Messrs Howard, Williamson and Marsh are reported to have been burnt, and many others are said to be in imminent danger, '.the wind is throa'toniite Raetihi, and Horopitoi Rangatua and Pokaka are also in danger. GALE AT AUCKLAND. BUILDINGS SUFFER DAMAGE FRUIT CROP'S STRIPPED, (Pan United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 22. A heavy south-easterly gale set in last night and continued to-day with increasing fury. C'a-eh tlerable damage was done ashore to buildings, many windows being blown in. The fruit crops suffered severely, the ripening fruit being stripped from many trees, ihe harbour was swept by the force of the gale, big waves washing the shore of the various bays and a number of small craft were driven ashore and severely damaged On the low level railway along the harbour front the embankment is standing up to it well, but it has been found necessary to lash down the service lines. Three launches and yacnts which were adrift in mid-harbour were rescued by two boats. HEAVY SEAS ON COAST. SMALL STEAMERS DELATED. SEVERE GALE AT LYTTELTON. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. January 22. The heavy seas on the coast increased yesterday and small steamers were delayed. The Wairau which put back on Thursday after leaving for Blenheim, is still laid up. The Peninsula steamer, John Anderson, had to return from the heads, and the Waihemo, which arrived this morning from Newcastle, was compelled to remain in the stream as the port health officers could not go out to grant pratique, and also ‘because her berth was still occupied. . Tho -Shaw, Savill and Albion liner, Maimo a, arrived in the stream in the evening, but tho captain wirelessed that ho did not consider it safe to anchor, and put to sea again. Heavy rain in tiro afternoon stopped all work on the waterfront.