THE WEATHER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 142, 21 August 1880, Page 2

THE WEATHER.

, : During the last day or two the residents in this quarter have been reminded of the spring and summer of 1878, when fierce nor’-westers ■ prevailed, and a calm day was more the exception than the rule. Since the beginning of the week the weather has changed completely from the cold to which we had been previously accustomed, and strong winds have blown from the north-west, raising the temperature considerably, and clouds of dust at the same, razing also not a few outhouses, and staving in several windows, but as yet no very great amount of damage has- been done. On Thursday night the gale was very strong, and blew almost a hurricane, and yesterday it kept up as if it meant business. • The express train was half-an-hour late in arriving from Christchurch having been delayed by the winds and hindering accidents Chkistchukch, 2.30.

A strong north-west wind commenced to blow early this morning soon after daylight, and increased to a terrific gale. It is the strongest from the north-west ever known at this time of the yeai’. Considerable.damage. has been done to trees, windows, and verandahs, one of the latter being entirely destroyed. At Rangiora a stack of chimneys at the Junction Hotel were blown down, doing great damage to the building. At Lyttelton, the shipping have so far escaped damage, but in town a number of doors, windows, and one dial of the town clock were blown in. Roofs of buildings have been extensively damaged. A serious accident occurred at the gaol. A temporary iron roof in the north wing, now under process of construction was blown down, and a prisoner, named Patrick Moss, who was on the roof at the time, fell to the ground, a distance of thirty feet, sustaining a severe cut on the back of his head and concussion of the brain. He is now in a critical condition. Another prisoner was also injured, but not seriously. The high fence surrounding the quarters of the. Maori prisoners was also blown down. A sou of Mr. Williams, residing at Bridle Path was blown oft the roof of a house, and sustained severe, but not dangerous wounds.

The gale now scorns to be moderating a little.

The telegraph lines are all down north of Kaiapoi.