HOUSES UNROOFED AT AUCKLAND IN VIOLENT GALE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 14

HOUSES UNROOFED AT AUCKLAND IN VIOLENT GALE.

SMALL CRAFT BATTERED; SCOW DRIVEN ASHORE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 30. The heaviest gale experienced in Auckland since last winter, preceded by a dense fog, broke over the port and city last night, and continued through out the day and this evening, without abatement. The gale made ferry traffic difficult. During this morning the scow Maggie, owned by J. J. Craig, Ltd., dragged her anchors, and drifted on the stone breastwork on the south side of the harbour. There is no hope of preventing the vessel breaking up. A large keel yacht was driven ashore at Narrow Neck. The crew swam ashore. Sailings of all coastal boats have been cancelled. Several houses were unroofed. The steamer West Elcajon, which arrived from San Pedro, is still anchored in the stream, as jt is too rough to bring her alongside the wharf. The scow Pahiki sprang a leak and was beached. Several other scows had narrow escapes. WHANG A RET, April 30. A violent easterly gale, accompanied by heavy rain, commenced early last evening, and continues without moderation. The rainfall registered at Whangarei to nine o’clock this morning was 2.4 inches, and the fall registered at Kamo was 4.12 in. Flats in that locality are flooded. PALMERSTON N., April 30. Damage of a fairly extensive nature is reported as the result of to-day’s easterty gale. Power lines were brought down by fallen trees, telephone services interrupted, and sheds unroofed.