FIERCE NOR’-WEST GALE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 740, 19 April 1933, Page 8

FIERCE NOR’-WEST GALE.

Sweeps Plains and City at Velocity of 60 Miles. FENCES, TREES AND STACKS LEVELLED. HOWLING and roaring across the plains, the fiercest nor’west gale experienced in Canterbury for many years struck Christchurch this morning with a 60-mile velocity. A dense pall of dust, grit and sand travelled before the wind, and a trail of levelled trees, fences and haystacks was scattered in its wake. The wind raged at its height between 7 and 8 o’clock. Then it died down to little more than a breeze. It was remarkable that no serious damage was done in the city. Telephone and telegraph wires stood up to the terrific strain of a battle with the wind lasting an hour and a half. Electric power lines also survived the severest test that they have been placed under for many years. The storm was exceptionally heavy at sea and shipping was delayed. Some damage was caused’ on the Gladstone Pier, Lyttelton, as a result of the 16,000-ton Rangitata being blown over until her superstructure came in contact with an electric crane.

Fences were blown down in country districts. Branches were snapped from trees, and in some cases trees were plucked out by the roots. The wind demolished many haystacks, and

scattered them far and wide. A striking indication of the force of > the wind was afforded at Sumner, where the brick wall of a building in course of construction was blown down.