Tailend Of Cyclone Lashes North Auckland

Chronicle (Levin), 15 January 1949, Page 6

Tailend Of Cyclone Lashes North Auckland

Press Aswctation)

(Pcr

\ AU CKL AN D, Jan. 14. The east coast of the No.rtJi Auckland took the brunt of a storm, apparently the tailend of the c.yclonc experieneed in Australia early this week, which eontinued throughout Thursday night and this niorniiig. Flooded roads, high tidos and k trail of damaged small craft were left in its wake. Nearly four inches of Tain fell in North Auckland from Wedhesdav ifevening to 9 o'clock this niorning. All the main, roads south from 'Kaitaia were bloeked for some tlme by floods, but the water " later 'recedod suiliciently to enable traiiic to proceed, One servicc bus towed no fewer tlian iive small ears over the flooded section of the Main North lioad near Rangiahua. ' Passenger buses arrived late at Whangarei and a special train was .despatclied south with ino re than 130 people from the north. All the major routes were opou late this afternoon. The gale eaused widespread--vininor damagc on the northeru peninsula. Power lines were brought down ■ and telephonic communication, partic..ularly to Auckland, was' aifected. Trees wero uprooted and branches snappe'd, sheds and fences were destroyed, wireless masts wero brought down, and chimneys were damaged. • In the North Auckland Power Board 's area many districts were withoot electricity for considcrable periods. The lilrge ba'kery :at Kamo supplying brend ro Whangarei coiild not bake 011 We.dnesday night beeause of the power shortage, buf operatious were resumed' this morning. Along the east coast botli carno

vessels and pleasure craft retuniing to Auckland after holiday cruises in thenorth had "t'o seek shelter. Small craft broke away from' their moorings botli at Whangarei and in tlie .Bay t of Islands. A launch tyas east iijj 011 Ihe rocks. At Opua the wind . whipped u pa high sea which; pounded in cven to; comparatively slieftered positi'ons ' andt the high tide llooded the beacli' roads'; at many 'points. Gampcrs had' ah Uu- ' pleasant timo and- .tent# in dxposed places were blown down. Late in arriving stg, Whangarei oii its morning crip nortli a National Airways plane could nOt land- at either Whaiiga-t rei or Kaikohe . on its soutliern iiigliti tbday. " 1 . 4