AFTERMATH OF STORM

Waikato Independent, Volume XLII, Issue 4003, 20 May 1942, Page 1

AFTERMATH OF STORM

COUNTRY PEOPLE SUFFER

POWER AND TELEPHONES OFF

While townspeople suffered only such minor discomforts, as a result of Friday’s storm, as half an hour’s black-out, luke-warm bath water (in some cases not even luke-warm), and masses of leaves to sweep up next morning, country people fell the full effect of the onslaught.

The morning milking is no picnic at the best of times, particularly with the first nip of winter in the air, but last week-end, with the power off, milking by hand added to the labour shortage and other problems in the shed. In many parts of the district there was no hot water for washing-up after milking) let alone bath water for the house. Added to which with the telephone out of order in many cases, it was impossible to find out how long the power was likely to be off.

Power Board faultmen, however, were quickly on the job, and by 11 a.m. on Sunday the last had been put right. The majority were not out of action quite so long, bait some of the breaks in the power lines were very bad, and, in isolated instances, it was not possible to restore power until Sunday morning.

Pukerimu and Monavale seem to have suffered most severely from the storm, the worst power interruption and the roof being blown off a shed, both being reported from that district.

At Leamington sheet iron was blown off some haystacks and carried right across the road. At Pukeroro an implement shed was blown over and carried about 100 yards by the force of the wind, the implements being scattered about the paddock. On the main road to. Hamilton, near the Pukeroro factory, a tree came down, fortunately without causing damage other than to the fence. , Losses of Stock No instances of losses of stockthrough the breaking of power lines have been reported in the Cambridge district, but on the. other side ofMaungatautari Mountain one farmer at least was not so fortunate., An electric power pole was brought down at Pukeatua, and, as a result, six yearling heifers were electrocuted. The cattle were paddoeked adjacent to the main road, and, in col-

The cattle were paddoeked adjacent to the main road, and, in collapsing. the pole fell across the fence, bringing the wires within reach of the slock. The power lines did not break, and through failing

to touch earth remained alive. It is assumed that the heifers made contact with the wires, probably through sniffing them. They were found lying together on Saturday morning.

| The owner. Mr B. O’Halleron, estimates the loss at £3O.