GALE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 31

GALE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

HEAVY FALL OF RAIN. CHRISTCHURCH, August 25. A brief spell of spring was succeeded by a wild outburst of winter last night, with a howling south-west gale and torrential rain. The gale was of house-shaking force, and wrought havoc with all weak uud decrepit fences. It lashed trees just breaking into loaf, and played havoc m many orchards. The Avon and tho Heathcoto were swollen muddy torrents, and in many places they overflowed low-lying banks. At the hospital the Avon was well up over the bank, and a large wattle tree was torn in half by tho gale and broken branches fell into tho river.

The gale increased in severity early this morning, and rain fell incessantly until shortly before noon. Along tho Lyttelton railway line many of the fields were under water and resembled small lakes. In Burwood and towards New Brighton many paddocks were under water. Tho downpour was heavier than on any previous occasion during the winter.

The records at the magnetic observatory show that the rainfall up till noon to-day was I.s4in—over lain in loss than 15 hours. At Lyttelton theweather was \ery bad last night, and it was still raining heavily this morning. There wore numerous slips about the hills, and tho gullies were raging torrents, pouring muddy streams into the harbour. A heavy sea is running in the harbour and along the coast, and shipping is having a rough time. The weather moderated to-night. Work on the wharves at Lyttelton was practically suspended this morning, and shipping will bo delayed. The Hinernoa. is among the steamers held up. TIM AR U, August 25.

A pretty strong gale prevailed lust night, but no damage was reported. The rainfall amounted to 66 points.