TERRIFIC GALE AT WAIHI

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1933, Page 9

TERRIFIC GALE AT WAIHI

HEAVY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY TREES TORN UP BY ROOTS. NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. COTTAGES SEVERELY SHAKEN. By Telegraph—Press Association, Waihi, Juna 1. Wind of terrific ’ force struck' Tanner’s Point, a popular seaside resort, near Katikati, and situated on the Tauranga Estuary, at about four o’clock this morning, causing considerable damage to property. One resident had. a narrow escape from death. Trees were, tom up by the roots and hurled yards away. A terrifying experience was that of Mr. Charles Hunt, a single man, formerly of Waihi, who lives in a small cottage near the foreshore. The roof of his dwelling was tom off bodily and portions were thrown in all directions. Before Mr. Hunt was properly awake, a large tree which had been uprooted crashed across his roofless cottage, demolishing it and missing him by inches.

Mr. Hunt sought refuge in the house of Mr. Albert Howse and Mr. Arthur Howse, two fishermen, living nearby. The Howse brothers also suffered from the visitation. The front porch of their house, was tom away while during the height of the disturbance, which lasted for about 10 minutes, the walls swayed ominously. Latched doors were opened and crockery and other loose articles were thrown about.

Two other, cottages were also severely shaken, but suffered no material damage. These were, however, situated in a more sheltered position than those of Mr. Hunt and the Howse brothers. Windows were broken and other damage was done to unoccupied seaside residences nearby. Such was the force of the visitation that a 16ft open boat, anchored in the channel was lifted from its moorings and smashed to pieces on the shore about 80 yards away. About a dozen large pohutukawa trees were uprooted. ? - ‘

The gale was preceded by a heavy downpour of rain, which ceased abruptly, and was followed by an ever-increas-ing roar of the approaching wind, The beach this morning was strewn with timber and pieces of corrugated iron. A somewhat, similar occurrence took place near Bowentown Ford, three miles away, a few years ago.