FIERCE SOUTHERLY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 8

FIERCE SOUTHERLY

DAMAGE AT CHRISTCHURCH BOAT TRAIN HELD IP LINESMEN'S RISKY WORK [ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. A terrific southerly gale, estimated at 80 miles an hour, did considerable damage in and around the city last evening. It blew a section from a roof of the guard’s van of the return ing ferry boat express and caused it to foul the overhead equipment, so that the Christchurch-Lyttelton railway service was seriously dislocated. There were many exciting incidents in the work of the repair gang. Aided by the fitful light of lanterns and torches, the railway linesmen, -working at the head of swaying ladders held in position by the efforts of six men, freed the overhead electric power line of the steamer train. It was difficult and dangerous work, wnicli with other complications took two hours to complete. Meanwhile the crew and passengers of the 9.40 p.m. train from Lyttelton were marooned between Heathcote and Woolston. Later in the evening frequent power failures occurred in the city. Many fences were blown down. The gale also damaged boats in the harbour. FERRY STEAMER DELAYED CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. Battling against the gale, the ferry steamer Maori is not expected at Lyttelton till 3 o’clock—eight hours late. MAORI MEETS FULL FORCE ' $ SHIP SEVEN HOURS LATE [ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. The Maori arrived at Lyttelton this afternoon at 2.10 p.m., seven hours late, having met the full force of the southerly gale on her trip down the coast. The passenger list was particularly small. Captain G. B. Morgan said the trip was much, the worst in his experience.