GALE AND RAIN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16165, 20 March 1918, Page 7

GALE AND RAIN.

HEAVY SEA CAUSES DAMAGE. FLOODS AT REDCLIFFS AND WOOLSTON. Canterbury. in conjunction with other parts of the Dominion, was i>t about nine o'clock on Monday night visited bv a north-easterly gale which at times rose to cyclonic proportions, and was responsible for damage which is 1 eported to be considerable. The gale raged with violence throughout tho night and continued yesterday morning in parts with scarcely abated vigour, though responsible for surprisingly little rain. Early in the afternoon the wind chopped round to the sou'-west, and for some hours a heavy and persistent rainfall was experienced. From the point of jiew of dwellers in seaside resorts like Sumner, Rcdcliffs, and New Brighton, the change was providential, for otherwise tile damage inflicted might have been more serious. An unusually heavy sea was running 011 the coast before the wind came up: in the case of New Brighton the waves were advancing almost to tne brushwoorl barricade. Then the gale commenced and the elements excelled themselves. It was a magnificent sight to see the waves, whipped by ;he wind, hurling themselves upon the sandy coast that fringes the seaside resorts of the city. As far as the eye could see great breakers were rolling and tumbling in. flinging up huge masses of spray. At high tide, shortly after 9 a.m., the waves had invaded the vrhole of the foreshore as far as the brushwood barricade at New Brighton and thing their offerings of spume far over on to neighbouring sanddunes. Had it not been for the erection of the brushwood barricade creating a distinct slope between it and the sen, the chances are that tho waves would in places have invaded some of the more low-lying residences on the beach. As it was, a channel 4ft in depth was scooped out of the ground in front of the Surf Club's pavilion and the broom barricade at this point destroyed, sand-bags having to be placed in position to prevent tho further encroachment of the water. Tho River Avon was flowing from bank to bank, and many of the adjacent properties were Hooded. Large crowds lined the beach frontages at Now Brighton until a late hour last night watch'ng the heavy surf rolling in. Some more of the manuka fence was torn up, and the swings near the pier disappeared about 11 p.m. The tide reached to the Surf Club's pavilion, but no damago was done there, hut great channels were torn in the beach.

REDCLIFFS FLOODED. Heavier seas have been experienced in Pegasus Bay in the past withoutcausing any damage, but a mishap to the sand spit at the mouth of tho Sumner estuary yesterday morning resulted in tho flooding of the low-lying portion of Redcliffs and part of Woolston, serious injury to the tramway embankment between Mt. Pleasant and Redcliffs, and the stoppage of the tramway service for three hours until noon. The heavy sea running carried away two and a half chains of the sandhills at the spit, leaving miniature cliffs with sides so steep that thev bear the impression of having been sliced witli a lnige knife. Through this extra space poured thousands of tons of water which, sweeping across the estuary in one mighty swirl, .flung itself over all obstacles. flooded the i houses to a depth of eight inches, and threw itself over the adjoining road, carrying in its wake at Monck's Bay many of the yachts and other boats which are moored in the vicinity of tho Christchurch Sailing Club's Bhecl. Some of these it flung far across the road, their masts becoming entangled in tho overhead tram and telegraph wires, resulting in the cutting-off of all telephonic connexion with Sumner for the greater part of tho day. The Moana, one of the largest yachts at Redcliffs, was . flung right across tho tram lines, and another was carried across the main thoroughfare into Bay View road. Those houses in Redcliffs between tho tramline and the Estuary, where the land is were quickly flooded to a depth of eight inches, and the water also found access to the Sumner Borough Council's pumping station, but caused no damage. Exciting scenes were witnessed when the invasion began, and many residents lost no time in removing valuable possessions and furniture. Gardens suffered ceverely, and many are irretrievably ruined. An inspection of the tramway' embankment by a "Press'' reporter revealed considerable damage, tho earthwork being washed away in many places, and it is estimated that it will cost about £600 or £700 to effect the neccssary repairs.

AT SUMNER, At Sumner tho jetty was under water, the Scarborough tea rooms were invadedj and the mole at the boat harbour was slightly damaged, but tho fishing boats escaped injury. Some of the side streets of Sumner were also visited, but escaped damage. FLOODS AT WOOLSTON. Tho lower part of Woolston was badly flooded, due to the water backing up tho Hcathcote river and spreading out over tho low-lying land adjacent. The old Woolston racecourse was submerged, and the water invaded the Heathcote Arms Hotel opposite. TRAMS HELD UP. The 8.45 a.m. tram from Sumner to Christchnrch got through to the city, but the next one ? tho 9.17, was not so fortunate. The lines were under water and covered with debris, and communication was entirely suspended till after midday. On the other hand trams from the city for Sumner were held up at the Heathcote bridge. By noon, the wind had largely died down, and the water in the Estuary became almost as calm as usual, leaving a desolato waste as the result of its invasion, but across tho Sumner bar could be seen a whirling mass of water. Then the wind changed to the southwest, bringing with it a heavy, soaking rain. Had it not been for this, the position last night might have become very serious, for the tide at night is always a foot or eighteen inches higher than that of the morning. A CYCLONIC DISTURBANCE.

Tho wind that raged on Monday night and drove a roaring sea far beyond tho usual high-water mark on our beaches, was a cyclonic disturbance, of which the centre, so Mr Skey, of the Magnetic Observatory, told a "Press" representative, probably passed somewhere near Canterbury. (Dwellers on the sea front in Sumner and New Brighton would probably be prepared to assert that it passed right over their houses.) The wind, which was blowing strongly from the north : east on Mondav evening, increased in violence as the night went on, until by early morning it had attained the strength of a gale, blowing in heavy ;;usts, and the barometer which at noon on Monday stood at 29.659 inches, fell rapidly, until by noon yesterday it had reached 23.695 inches, a fall of nine-tenths of an inch having occurred in the fourteen hours between 10 n.m. on Monday and midday yesterday. The fall continued for two or three hours. At 12.42 p.m. the mercury stood at 28.645 inchcs, the lowest reading recorded un to that hour since the Observatory was erected, sixteen years , ago. The previous lowest readings were 23.66 inches on Ma 3' 14th, 1902. and 25.650 inches on December 6th I 1 ? 11, , 4 1 , ,V 25 p - m - yestordav the glass had fallen still lower, to 28.616

inches. From that point it Jo rise slowly. The wind changed the turn, and at 3 p.m. " as w : t h moderately from the sol,th "**?'i ed ' ;1 rain falling. Mr •Xr butnostoadv blow during tho night, but; noj thing* in the nature or the furious of the previous night. „_ T ~ V TELEGRAPHIC INTERRI PHOV In spite of the heavy gate there pere no actual break-downs in dl ° £ f line recorded in the south. t h rou gh serious interruption occurred througi the peculiarly muggy atnsosphei c coi' ditions. which eauscd a tremendous leakage of current; and. consequent decreased the amount or work could be done over tho v ' res 1 )y T , [ 50 per cent. In the North Isand. however, it was reported that the had beep, a serious intcrruption nt Main Trunk line, between C!ll . l °S t ? and Auckland, caused, it is said, by bush fires tho line having been pra.tienllv dostroved in some places. Telephonic communication was interrupted with Rangiora and the northern circuits, yesterday forenoon, which were all more or less These interruptions are also out <lown to the abnormal climatic conditions. Sumner telephones were all 9 n , from the city early in the morning, nu communication had been restored >efort 1 p.m. Telegraphic and telephone communication with the sout £ •was said to be nearly normal, aitnough ,soro<» interruption? had taken place. The Traffic Mannaer of tho Hallways stated that there had been no reports of interrupted railway traffic, but the railway telegraohs and telephones had suffered from the general interruptions.

DAMAGE AT LYTTELTON. As a result of tho north-east gale prevailing during Monday nignt, a huge sea was running yesterday at Lyttelton. tho tide being tho highest, it is stated, for the past twenty years. Indeed, at an hour after normal high tide tho wharves were showing only about 4 feet above the water. The breakwater at Gladstone Pier was seriously damaged by the action of the breakers, which at times washod up to a height of about 25 feet. The concrete parapet on the embankment was undermined by tho sea. and the metal foundation was washed out from beneath tho railway linos. which were damaged by the violence of tho waves. The steamer Calm, sailing at midday, ran into a iicavy swell outside tho moles - , and was buffettod about on the water like a cork. There was a strong surge in the inner harbour, all the vessels at their moorings straining on tho piles. Tho small craft did not venture out into the stream, harbour trade being consequently delayed. The Government Defence launch abandoned i her daily trips to llipa Island, the I steamer Purau being engaged to tako her place, and the launch Toi Toi which runs between Lyttclton and Port Levy, did not pnt in an appoarance. Fortunately, the ferry' steamer Maori, and the transport bringing returned soldiers, wore running before the gale during the night, otherwise they would have been considerably delayed. KAIKOURA SUFFERS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PKESS.") KAIKOURA, March 19. A heavy north-east gale is raging with a high sea. Extensive damage has been done to the fishermen's wharf. Two launches have already broken from their moorings and been wrecked. At the west end the sea is washing away the shingle bank and breaking over into Lyall Creek. The water is encroaching on premises in the lower portion of tho town. Further damage is feared at the next high tide.

IN THE COUNTRY. A strong north-east. gale" raged "at Akaroa all Monday night, and until after midday vesterday. Heavy ram fell at intervals. Late fruit and walnuts suffered considerably. Towards evening the wind veered "to the southwest and blew very hard, while steady rain fell. A big sea is running in the harbour, and the Amokura is sheltering. Heavy rain fell at Oxford throughout Monday night and all day yesterday. The barometer showed a lower lending than it has done for a long time, namely 28.6. Very heavy rain fell at Kaiapoi during Monday night and the greater part of yesteruay, O.Glin being recorded up to 9.30 a.m. yesterday. Steady rain set in at Rangiora on Monday about 6 p.m. from the northeast. and continued with more or less severity till about 7 a.m. yesterday, when it eased olf, and every indication pointed to a fine day. However, about 1 p.m. the wind took a turn to the south-west, and rain again began to fall and continued for most of the afternoon. In consequence of the unfavourable weather, the attendance at tho stock markets was much smaller than usual. Owing to the- unfavourable season farmers are complaining of the blight in the potatoes. Growers aro digging crops much earlier r.nd before they are ready in order to save them. After once showing the blight, the potatoes rot very quickly. A light rain commenced to fall r«t Ashburton at 7 p.m. on Monday, which developed into a heavy downpour shortly after ten o'clock. It continued throughout tho whole of the night, and at 9 a.m. yesterdar the total registex-ed at the Domain weather station was 1.57 in. There was no cessation of the rain, "which continued to pour down during the whole day, causing . tho side-channels to overflow and big pools of water to lie about in all directions. A complete stop will be put to threshing for a while, but unless heavy floods occur the rain will be beneficial. The total fall registered up to 2.30 p.m. was 2.22 inches. Exceptionallv heavy rain .fell ell through the Upper Rangitata, Mayfield, Mount Somors. Springburn, and Alford Forest districts throughout Monday night and yesterday. The total registered at Alford House, twenty miles towards the hills from Ashburton, at 8 a.m. yesterday, was 1.9S inches, and from that hour there was a continuous downpour throughout the day. The Rangitata river Was in high flood yesterday, and at a late hour in the afternoon the flood was from bank to bank. The Rakaia river was also in high flood, and last evening the Ashburton was rapidly rising. The weather showed signs of clearing at five o'clock last evening, but later on further heavy rain fell.

(TRESS association telegram.) TIMARIT, March 19. Rain set in last night, and has fallen steadily since. Up to 5 p.m. 240 points' had fallen in town. No word from the country has yet been received. (PRESS ASSOCIATION" TELEGRAMS.) NAPIER. March 19. A strong gale rng?d over Napier about 4 o'clock this morning, but no damageis reported. The wind died down today, but hot and oppressive weather prevailed. There aro no bush fires in Hawke's Bay. HAMILTON, March 19. A violent gnlo raged last night and to-day. Considerable damage was done. GALE AT NELSON. STORM IN TASMAN BAY. (press association telegram.) NELSON. March 19. A north-easterly gale raged to-day, accompanied by heavy rain. The rivers are rising, and big floods are feared. Portions of the city aro submerged, and fences and sheds have been razed and trees uprooted. It is feared that the hop nnd fruit crops will be considerably damaged. During the storm this morning the

scow Oban, which was lying at the North Cape wharf, loaded with coal, was struck by a heavy sea, and 6ank at her moorings in shallop water. The ketch Gaunet, which was also at the North Cape, was damaged. ? . A small steamer which arrived tais afternoon reports having lost a man overboard during the storm in Tasman Bay. HOWLING GALE AT AUCKLAND CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE OX WATERFRONT. MOSQUITO FLEET SEVERELY HANDLED. (press ASSOCIATION telegram.') AUCKLAND, March 19. One of the worst storms ever experienced in Auckland raged on the harbour last night, a howling gale being at its height between midnight and two o'clock. The waterfront this morning was strewn with debris and wreckage, and the damage must run into thousands of pounds. Along Frogman's Bay and Pousonby the damage was particularly heavy. At Parker and Lamb's timber mills a number of scows were piled up, P'] a C" ticallv on top of one another, and 300 or 400 logs broke loose, completing tho damage. At the Ivauri Company s and other mills similar scenes were witnessed. At St. Maiy's Bay launches, yachts, and logs were piled up. The West End Boating Club's sued is damaged, and only two boats are intact. On the eastern waterfront, along Quay street extension, a large breach has been made. The wind was from an unusual point, for it came from dead north, consequently blowing right on to the protected anchorages, causing much damage. Particularly serious destruction was wrought at the trotting course and agricultural show ground at Epsom. The roof of the Trotting Club's grandstand was lifted bodily and carried across the road. The Agricultural Association's auxiliary stand was blown completely over, and is now a heap of wreckage. The main stand was partly unroofed. Tho Trotting Club's loss is estimated at £1000. On North Shore several houses were unroofed. Very high tides were experienced at all the seasido suourbs. Several yachts were totally destroyed at Kohimarama, where the houses wore invaded by the sea. Telegraphic communication with tho South is seriously interrupted.