DAMAGE AT ROTORUA.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12757, 1 April 1910, Page 3

DAMAGE AT ROTORUA.

'' •.'■.' Rotoruai March 31. A gale of cycl6nic force has been raging since four o'clock yesterday morning, with no sign of abating. Many trees in .the Sanatorium grounds have been uprooted, and much damage has been done. One tree fell in close proximity to the Sanatorium. Many large trees on Pukeroa Hill were* blown down. Some trees fell across the streets, blocking the vehicular traffic to Ohinemutu. A coach shed belonging to fcho Waiwera Coaching Company collapsed. The roof of Kusab's sawmill was blown off. Many trees on the Whakarewarcwa road were blown down. The cx r press trains .yesterday and to-day from Auckland were half an hour late. A goods train due at eight o'clock last night arrived at one this (Continued on * ourth T> age.>

morning. There have been several narrow escapes from falling trees, but no one has been injured. Two windows in the Grand Hotel were blown in. The launch on Lake Rptomahaua sank last "igh.t, and the visitors making the round trip had to walk round the lake to reach Waimangu. Passengers who" arrived from Wellington by the Pateena yesterday morning : reported . heavy weather in the Straits oh Wednesday afternoon. A strong south-east" gale, accompanied by heavy seas and misty rain, was blowing, and' many of those on board experienced a very unpleasant time. At Picton it was raining and blowing hard, and the departure of the Anchor Company's steamer Waimea, with a load of sheep, from Picton to Lyttelton, was postponed until, the weather moderated. The Arahura, which-ar-rived at Picton from Nelson, experienced dirty weather, with heavy seas from tho Croixelles .until entering Queen Charlotte Sound, and her departure from Picton for Wellington was delayed until two o'clock yesterday morning. Evidently bad weather ■was -experienced, for the Arahuradid not roach her destination until eight o'clock. Tho weather yesterday in Nelson was mild and warm, with no wind; and was in striking contrast to that experienced elsewhere the day previously.