GALE AT CHRISTCHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1933, Page 7

GALE AT CHRISTCHURCH

SOME DAMAGE IN THE CITY

ROOF BLOWN OFF TRAIN VAN.

OVERHEAD WIRING FOULED.

SEVERAL BREAKAGES IN POWER.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May 10.

A, terrific southerly gale, with wind estimated at 80 miles an hour, caused considerable damage in and around the city last night. It blew a section from the roof of the guard’s van of the returning ferry boat express and caused it to foul the overhead equipment, so that the Christchurch-Lyttelton railway service was seriously dislocated- i Many exciting incidents occurred in the repair work. Aided by the fitful light of lanterns and torches railway linesmen, working at the head of swaying ladders held in position by the efforts of six men, freed the overhead electric power line of the steamer train. It was a difficult and dangerous work, which, with other - complications, took two hours to complete. in the meanwhile the crew and passengers of the 9.40 p.m. train from Lyttelton were marooned between Heathcote and Wools ton. Later in the evening frequent power failures occurred. In the city many fences were blown down and the hurricane also damaged boats in the harbour.