FIERCE NOR’-WESTER RAGES IN THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19269, 5 January 1931, Page 14

FIERCE NOR’-WESTER RAGES IN THE CITY.

WRECKS SIX STALLS AT NEW BRIGHTON GALA

A nor -wester of gale force raged in Christchurch over the week-end, and on Saturday and yesterday the temperature was high. The wind sprang up late on Saturday morning, and increased in force as the day advanced. Conditions became very trying, and many people who were able to leave the city sought relief at the beaches. The maximum temperature during the day was 86.4 deg. The wind had dropped a little by early evening, but a few hours later it was sweeping over the city with renewed force.

Although the weather was calm early yesterday morning, conditions soon changed, and by the afternoon Canterbury was in the grip of a real “ old man nor-wester.” The mercurv climbed to 75.2 deg, and, in spite of the boisterous conditions, the beaches were thronged. By eight o’clock the wind had died down, and conditions were perfect. However, late at night the nor -wester set in again, and branches were torn off trees. At the New Brighton gala on Saturday evening, six stalls were blown over and wrecked, but fortunately nobody was hurt.

GALE TRAVELS 65 M.P.H. IN WELLINGTON AREA

Per Press Association. Y\ ELLINGTON, Januarv 4. A high north-west wind in the” Wellington district yesterday afternoon and evening caused some damage. Rain accompanied the wind at night. i in^ ows hoardings suffered, and the hood of a car in an exposed place was ripped off. The instruments at the Kelburn Observatory registered a gust of sixty-five miles an hour at 7.20 p.m which is the force of a whole gale. 1 his afternoon the Meteorological Office said that the wind was due to a very intense low-pressure area which crossed the Dominion last night. Some very low barometric pressures had been registered. 25.99 in at Bluff and " Soin y , Ca P e Puysegtir. Further strong winds could be expected The wind is still high.