SOUTH-EASTERLY GALE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 3221, 20 May 1924, Page 4

SOUTH-EASTERLY GALE

CAMBRIDGE ESCAPES LIGHTLY.. LITTLE DAMAGE LOCALLY. Following; on the warning by the Dominion Meteorologist (Mr D. C. Bates) heavy south-easterly winds, accompanied by slight rain squalls, were experienced in Cambridge in the early hour* of Saturday morning, the wind developing into, quite a galo by noon, to be followed by heavy rain squalls all Saturday afternoon. The rainfall in Cambridge for the 4S hours up to 9 a.m. on Sunday was only ,48in. —less than half an Inch. Fortunately very little damage occurred in the district. On Saturday the Power Board staff had a busy day due to a broken line out by Mr C. .Care's property and to fuses being blown out in the Roto-o-rangi, Kaipaki and Hamilton Road areas. All faults had been remedied by nightfall. On enquiry the Postmaster informs us that very little damage was sufferod by the wires in.the near Cambridge district .although at Roto-o-rangi, Ohaupo and Te Awamutu falling branches had interfered with tho lines. The nearest break was at Waotu. a IN OTHER PARTS. The damage at Te A roll a as a result of the gale was quite extensive, several fences being blown down and trees uprooted, while the electric light failed in portions of the district. The railway service was disorganised between Te Aroha and Thames. Similar experiences were suffered at To Awamutu, while floods at Thames and Paeroa were responsible for much damage.

In Waihi a deluge of rain fell on Friday and Saturday, the rainfall for tho 4S hours up to Sunday morning totalling 7.47 in. Several slips were reported, and other damage done. In Auckland the gale was terrific — one of the worst for years. Several motor launches were smashed, and quite- a number of small boats broke from thoir. moorings and were stranded, some being smashed to- pieces. The rainfall in Auckland during the storm totalled 2.74 in.