THE WEATHER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13035, 31 March 1910, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

WIDESPREAD DAMAGE BY THE STORM.

(Per United Press - Association.)

WELLINGTON. March 30.

The storm warnings telegraphed out to the far north bv the meteorological office on Saturday have been amply • justified; The north was advised to look out for squalls on Monday and by nightfall the advance skirmishers of a cyclonic disturbance had smitten Cape Maria. Yesterday the - tempest developed and the howling winds rushed down the island. On Thursday night Fiji was struck by a hurricane, then the ’ cyclone whirled' westward to Nor-folk'-Island,; and, after a busy, time there, it veered to the south-east and headed foe Three Kings. ThisTmorning the centre of the disturbance was /to the westward of Cape Mania and the line of march was tor wards the East Cape. If the storm continues, in its present track it will blow down to the' Chathams, but other forces may intervene. • Already an enemy—an .anti-cyclone (generally friendly to the west coast of the South afflr'the high' pressure movement, inay tons down and divert the low pressure. , At 9 o’clock this' morning the barometer , was down to 29 inches at Russell. the .lowest reading for .about three years. The energy of the vigorous gale this morning was chiefly felt .northward of East Cape, Taupo and Wanganui, afa'd was general in the inland. Tiritiri had heavy thunder and lightning. The wind will change by south-east to south and finally to south-west. Wellington’s share of the weather lias not been so heavy as the northern districts’ portion, but there is yet 'rime for a large demonstration here. In a few hours the wind here may have more sting. The South Island., too. Has mos'lv under clouds to-day, bnt down by Invercargill the air was calm.

The telegraph office advised to-day that communication with Auckland was totally interrupted and work for the north of Hamilton will bear heavy delay. Information received by the Wellington Post Office shows that the violence of"the storm has been well up to the forecase. Communication with Wairangi, on the French Pass line, was also interrupted this morning. GALE STRIKES THE WARRIMOO. WELLINGTON, March 31. The Warrimoo, which .arrived here 20 hours late from Sydney, experienced the full force of the gale. Captain Clift declared that’ he has never known it to blow so hard on the New Zealand coast as on the present occasion. Instead of covering 14 or 15 knots, the steamer was eased down to seven or eight knots. The worst effect of the gale was encountered in Cook Strait.

BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM. March 30. A gale of some force was experienced >n this district to-day and this evening, but beyond the smashing of trees very little damage is reported. AT NEW PLYMOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH. March 30. Ine Rev. Bates’ storm burst over Tara naki early this morning with cyclonic fury, destruction in all directions marking the visitation. Yery little rain has fallen, but t.ie hurricane-like blasts have reached a velocity never hitherto experienced on this coast. At the time of wiring (8 p.m.) tho gale shows no sign of abatement. Very Considerable damage has been done--, . fences, stables, chimneys* verandahs, trees etc. being blown down in all directions. - there have been many narrow escapes from flying and timber, but no .casualties have been reported; Large two-storeyed show rooms in Devon Street, just vacated, collapsed in a mass of ruins. All kinds of reports are current of the overturning of buildings, cbaches and traps in the outlying .districts, which it is impossible to verity, but everything points to Hie damage being considerable. This morning thlaranaki Petroleum Company’s No. 4 derrick collapsed. During the afternoon rei ports reached town that No. 3 was also a 7 0 C l m J°i he cyclone’s fury, while the New Zealand Standard Oil Company’s Yog-el-town derrick has also gone. Palling trees in town aisorganised several sections of ; tdephone wires while the electrp lighting is ajsc out, of . gear in some localities : to it, 3 ® !f rc i ely f P ro Perty. not affected b negate damage must be fairly considerable. .Shipping is not venturing .out of port to-night, o A TREMENDOUS GALE. A Dredge Sinks. 5 NEW PLYMOUTH. March 31^ ■I I'he gale is abating a little, but it radld great force during the night. Scores -4>t chimneys were thrown down arid huildUn^ fcd - Jim Harbour Board's fs ? e , Thomas King, broke .from ;her .arid sank close to the wharf' AT NAPIER. . NAPIER, March 30. A storm of exceptional severity is raging over the district. The rainfall during the past three days totals nearly five inches. The rivers are in heavy flood, but mere is no serious danger at present. AT GISBORNE. Disastrous Flood Feared. ■ <t\ GISBORNE, March 30. Heavy rain has been falling continuously since Monday afternoon. At present there prospect of cessation. An easterly gale .is blowing, and all rivers are There is every prosKisastreus flood,: similar to that a g°- Already dead stock a £ e upating, down, the river, and hundreds oi acres, are -imder water v roa ll6 is sheltering at; Te Ara-

‘ train was blocked -at Ormond. 11 -miles out, by a* big washout on the -hue.- Settlers are- having a most and removing their, stock to levels. The coaching service has tbeen entirely suspended.

FLOOD AT PAEROA.

A swish of the gale brought down a wire just when Paeroa was announcing' if* nlight. The message ran: "The heaviest flood ever Jmown in Paeroa occurred this OT^dodrTe^t—■— 310 submer S cd three