GALE IN CANTERBURY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23678, 9 December 1938, Page 7

GALE IN CANTERBURY

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE POWER SERVICES INTERRUPTED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 8. Extensive damage to power and telephone services in North Canterbury was done to-day by a north-westerly gale of exceptional severity. Numerous faults occurred in the telephone system in Christchurch. these being caused through wires crossing and limbs of trees becoming entangled in the wires. No serious damage was done, and the only case of injury was that of a woman whose hand was cut by flying fragments of glass when a tree fell against a carriage of a train on the way from Christchurch to Rangiora, The gale was most intense in North Canterbury, where lines and poles were broken. Whole trees and branches were blown across roads, and breakdowns of the electric supply and telephone services were reported from many districts, and linesmen were out working under most unpleasant conditions all day. Trees uprooted by the fierce wind fell across the wires at several places up to 20 miles north of the city. Although extensive, the damage to private property was not serious. Wheat and oats crops escaped the damage which might have been caused had the crops been more advanced. Little damage was also done in the orchards, although, at Loburn, apples were shaken from the trees in the more exposed orchards. A brick parapet 3ft high and 4ft 6m long and about 12ft of woodwork were blown on to the roof of a two-storey grocer's shop at North Brighton. No one was injured. A number of poplar trees .at North Brighton were also blown down. When the big " Safety Week banner anchored to a heavy iron lamp bracket above the entrance to the municipal offices was caught by the gale, the lamp was torn from its base ana crashed 25 feet into the centre of Manchester street, bringing with it part of the balustrade. A warning that the lamp would fall was given by a picture theatre manager, and a queue of children waiting to enter the Civic Theatre to attend the screening of a "Safety Week" film were moved out of danger. In the Botanic Gardens and city reserves, branches were blown from trees, but little damage was done to plants. As is the practice during strong winds, the larger trees in the Botanic Gardens were kept under observation by the staff in the interests of public safety.