HOMES THREATENED

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 7

HOMES THREATENED

Heavy Seas Cause Erosion at Milford Beach. WORK OF YEARS UNDONE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 4. Heavy rain fell in Auckland last night, and it was drizzling to-day. The total fall lor the twenty-four hours up to nine o’clock was 2£ inches, and a further heavy fall seems likely. The most serious damage done by the gale was at Milford beach, where the seas raised were stronger than in sny storm since 1913. The waves pounded the stone walls of the sections with a beach frontage, and at high tide, towards midnight, several walls collapsed. The seas then rapidly ate away the sandy sections and threatened to undermine the houres. Some residents are considerably alarmed, and as the weather continues threatening there is a possibility that at least one residence will be demolished by the high seas to-night. The work of residents in improving their sections for many years has been undone, and the damage runs into thousands. TOWN IN DARKNESS. Falling Trees Break Power Line. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, May 4 Rotorua had dinner last evening by candlelight, lamplight or any other light available, the whole town being in darkness until shortly before 7 p.m The main power supply from Arapuni had been broken by trees falling across th eline, while six power poles were blown over at Mourea and prevented the stand-by plant at Okere being brought into action. Gum trees were uprooted in Fenton Street and broke telephone communication w’ith the south during the afternoon, while a number of trees were uprooted in various parts of the town and surrounding districts. Windows were blown in in several cases, and some tiles were blown off the roof of the Post Office. Lake Rotorua was very rough, and several launches and boats broke their moorings and were washed up on the foreshore. The fire alarm was sounded during the period of darkness, the old firebell being used owing to the fact that the electric siren could not be operated. BUILDINGS DAMAGED. Severe Storm in Whakatane District. Per Press Association. WHAKATANE, May 4. The most severe storm for several years was experienced here last night, and damaged buildings on the waterfront to the extent of several hundreds of pounds. A north-easterly gale unroofed the service station, portion of the Rotorua Motor Transport Company’s new building. Dent’s boat build mg shed and the Atlantic Oil Company’s depot. A fish smoke house collapsed. Several motor sheds and fences were blown down, trees were uprooted and haystacks were damaged in many parts of the district. The force of the wind backed up the tide and caused water to encoach on the roadway and the wharf shed approaches. The rainfall for forty-eight hours was 2.31 in. Small Craft Damaged. Per Press Association. TAURANGA, May 4 ? The worst easterly storm in ten years swept over the town and district yesterday. Last night heavy seas in the harbour caused owners of small craft anxiety. Two boats were driven ashore, and two were sunk at moorings. Several dinghies are also ashore. A few windows were blown in 'and trees and fences were blown down. Slight interruptions occurred to the electricity, telegraph and telephone services. Two inches of rain were recorded. No road damage is reported.