STORM LASHES COAST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19023, 25 May 1936, Page 14

STORM LASHES COAST

FREIGHTER GIVEN HELP ipAllfc WASHED OFF CLIFFS 1 SYDNEY, May 24. A severe cyclonic disturbance which prevailed over parts of the Tasman Sea reached its maximum intensity during the week-end. The small coastal freighter Evringhi, trading with Hawkesbury ports, broke her tailshaft and signalled for assistance. To-day she was taken in tow by the pilot steamer Captain Cook. A man and woman who remain unidentified were washed off the cliffs near \ Bronte to-day and drowned. It is believed the man was fishing and the woman looking on from a higher ledge. The man became engulfed by a wave. Although a strong swimmer, he tried for half an hour to reach the rocks, watched by people on the cliff top who were helplees' to aid him. Finally lie waved farewell and sank. The woman descended the rock and apparently tried to seize the man but she was swept into the sea. A radio report from Norfolk Island from the Administrator states that a very : fierce gale swept the island on Thursday and Friday. There were 15in. of rain, and bridges and culverts were washed away and communications destroyed. Great damage was done to property. The. Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, has sent a message of sympathy to the •islanders, authorising whatever expenditure is necessary for the restoration of the damage.