GALE AND FLOODS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 6

GALE AND FLOODS

THE SOUTHERLY STORM, HEAVY RAINFALL. SHIPPING DISORGANISED. Tho fury of tho southerly galo which burst over Wellington on Thursday had. somewhat abated yesterday, but tho effect of tho continuous downpour of tho night beforo was everywhere ovidont. Houseagents, frantically summoned by telephone, and other means of communication, had a busy timo of it yesterday forenoon in looking into various complaints from distraught tenants. Ono houso agent, who had just como down into tho city after a morning of Waiting round about Kelburne, wns asked by a representative of The .Dominion whether any serious damago had beon reported. "Some people have lost tlioir backyards—that's all," ho replied, referring to borne of tho hill-dwellers, wlioso "mado ground" had disappeared during tho night. Tho wind also took its toll of fences, telegraph, telephone, and electric light wires, while numerous slips aro reported to havo como down on tho city tramway lines. Some anxiety was felt concerning tho Island Bay residents, whose district lias in tho past been regularly flooded every timo a storm has visited tho city. Thanks to the now storm-water culvert, however, thero was no troublo of any consequence.

'On the whole, tho 'tramway system stood the trial very well. Thero were two or thrio "holds-ups," duo to tho collapse of anchor wires, and at Island Bay tlio failuro of a feeder to' tho overhead wiro caused some dolay to tho through traffic to tho bay. Numerous slips wero reported from various sections, especially on the hill lines, but in no case was tho obstruction so serious as to hold up tho traffic for any length of timo.

Iu the city several business premises were invaded by storm water, making matters extremely unpleasant for tho employees. At Newtown a dog which had the temerity to investigate a fallen tram-wire was instantly electrocuted before a crowd of people who wero wa'ting for a car. Needless to say the crowd was duly impressed, and no further investigations wore made. HOW SHIPPING FARED. SOME ROUGH EXPERIENCES. Steamers arriving at Wellington yesterday report having received a rough handling during the night, when tho storm was at its height. Although the Maori arrived on tfmo yesterday, elie was knocked about a good deal on tho run up from Lyttelton. _ Tho ferry "flier" had t'lio wind and sea in her favour, and this proved a Passengers, however, stated that tho night was a most uncomfortable ono for all concerned. The Moeraki, which .arrived half an hour after tho Maori, was not'so fortunato on. the run up the coast. All night long crashes of broken glass could bo heard distinctly. First plates and cups in the pantry would come down in a heap, then glasses and water-bottles. Big seas came aboard, and tho vessol rolled heavily. On one occasion tho water its way down to an alleyway in the saloon, and that part of the ship received a soaking. Thore was practically *no sleep for anyone on board, and one and all wei'o glad to reach, _ port yesterday morning. It was anticipated that tho Moeraki would get another knooking about last evening until she got well into the Strait on her way to Sydney. Tho .Manuka remained at anchor in tho stream during Thursday night. Sho left the harbour shortly after 8 a.m., and was observed to clear tho Heads for southern ports and Melbourne ab»ut 9 a.m. As anticipated, tho Mararoa did not leave Wellington for Lyttelton yesterday. When the weather cleared sufficiently for her to make an attempt, to get out it was found tlmt tho trip would bo too lato for tho railway connections, so it was decided to abandon it. Tho Mararoa will leave for Lyttelton as usual at 11 p.m. to-day. Her passengers went south by the Maori last evening.

The only coastal steamer to arrive in port yesterday w*as tho Blenheim. Having tiio wind and sea in herfavour, tho little vessel made a good, but dirty, run across tho strait. Her master, Captain Wilkinson, reports having sighted the steamer John, bound from Timaru to Wellington, making for shelter under Capo Campbell; As far as the other coastal steamers expected at Wellington wore concerned, it is thought that they aro sheltering along tho coast. They should show up as soon ns the weather moderates. Tho only steambrs to leave Wellington yesterday were tho Manuka, Maitni, Mooraki, and Maori. All other vessels, were postponed until to-day. WIMMHRA'S ROUGH HANDLING. MAKES FORT WITH A LIST. With a heavy list to starboard, and bearing evidences of having had a sevcro handling, tho Huddart-Parker steamer Wimmera arrived in port from Napier yesterday morning, over four hours late. Silo left Napier at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and experienced fairly good weather un-. til she got well down tho coast. About midnight the Wimmera met tho "outposts" of tho southerly, and as sho came further down the coast the weather became worse. During tho early part of tho morning hugo seas were met, and camo tumbling aboard one after 'tho other. Some broke clean over tho wholo vessel, making things most uncomfortable for all on board. Sleep was out of tho question, and in tho teeth of tho gale the noise was described as deafening. Pallisor Light was passed about G a.m. It was shortly after this that tho Wimmesa received tho worst handling on tho trip. Tho big rollers of tho Pacific were sweeping into Palliser B:\y and the vessel, being side.on to t!<e full force of tho gale, rolled alarmingly. The heavy seas striking the ship on tiio port side in full forco caused the cargo and coal to shift, henco the pronounced list to starboard. However, the Wimmera laboured on, and although seriously inconvenienced she managed to mako the Heads shortly beforo 9 a.m., much to the relief of passengers and crew alike.

Onco inside the harbour it was naturally supposed that her troubles had ended, but hopes were dashed to the ground.'The fcrco of tho gale made berthing the vessel a difficult matter and it was not until noon that tho Wimmera was tied up alongside the Queen's Wharf. Passengers spoke in high terms of tho manner in which the Wimmera. behaved in most trying circumstances. They ~t v ere also loud in their praise of the officers'', nd crew of the vessel.

Three accidents to members of the ship's complement occurred during tho passage. A yontli employed on the vessel had a thumb split opan from top to bottom, and an able seaman received a bruised leg. Tho ship's baker seems to have had the worst experience of tho three. It appears that he was working in the galley when a big sea struck the vessel with the result that he was hurled along tho galley floor and out through the door on to the deck. He fell nn his head and was unconscious/ for a time. Tn addition he received injuries to his ribs. On arrival in port the throe men were attended by Dr. Itcnry who reported that the injuries wero cot. of a very serious nature.

In consequence of her lato arrival tho Wimmera will not make a call at Lyttelton this trip, but, will sail for Dunedin direct at noon to-day. I'ATEENA GETS A "DUSTING." When tho Patcena arrived at Wellington from Picton yesterday morning it. was plainly seen that sho had received a sevcro handling on tho short run across Cook Strait. Picton was left behind at 3 a.m., and .when Tory Channel entrance was cleared tho Pateena met the full force of the gale. Soon slio was tossed about like a cork, and passengers and crew had a most unpleasant experience. All tho way over big seas came aboard one after the other. Most of the time tho decks wero Hooded, and when tho vessel was about hall'-way across the Strait a huge sea came nhoard, and Hooded tho saloon, drenching practically everything. Ono passenger, Mr. A. Oliver, had a narrow escape from boins washed over-

board. Ho was on deck at tho time, mill a, "green oni>" came aboard in full force. Tho sc;i caught Mr. 01 ive.i", uiid in tho words of a fellow-passenger, cd him along the deck 1 i);o u cork." 11. is stated tliivt had it jmt liM'ii for the prompt action of iv tailor on bonnl llio I'ateciia, Mr. Oliver would have Imeii washed overboard.

There wore several racehorses oil lxiard, nnd theso animals worn very mucli knocked about. In fact, one wa;i fotiml lying on its back with its hoots up in tiio air this morning. This horse liad (<i lio assisted to its feet by tho aid of llio ship's winch.

Passengers wero loud in their prniKO for Captain Cameron and his ollicoi-H and crow for tho able manner in Which they brought tho l'aleena through her trying, ordeal of six and a half hours.

In consequeuro of tho weather, tho Fnlcemi's trip to l'icton and Nelson wait abandoned yesterday. Sho will leavo imrt at 9 a.m. to-day for l'icton only, returning this evening. Tho Mapourika, which is duo in port, from tho West Coast this evening, will bring Nelson passengers, and tho Araliura, which leaves Wellington for tho West Coast nt 12.45 p.m. to-day, will (alto tho Pntccua's Nelson passengers. MAN ADRIFT IN HARBOUR. WASHED ASnORE AT KAIWARRA. A hulk-keeper named Aloxandor O'Conneli had n most trying timo in ail open boat in tho harbour between tho hours of 5 p.m. oil/ lhicsdny nnd tho onrly hours of yestordny morning. It appears that 0 Council, who is in chargo of the hulk Trico of Wales, which v.-as lying off Kaiwarra, camo ashoro in his boat oil Thursday nfternoon. About 5 p.m. ho sot out on tho roturn journey to tho Princ© of Wales, but did not inanago to reach his goal until noon yesterday. All night long ho wns tossed about in tho open boat, completely at tho mercy of tho elements. From what could bo gathored, tho storm-tossed Craft was carried on to tho stone breastwork alongsido tho railway lino nt Kaiwarra early this morning, nnd practically smashed to pieces. O'Connell received injuries to his lioad, but managed to crawl up tho bank to a placo of safety. Later on he managed to get' to a friondly house, whero ho was hospitably treated and supplied with dry clothea. After a rest, ho started out for town', and having arrived managed to get out to his floating homo, much to tho relief of his wife and children. When tho report was circulated that there was a man missing, tho Ferry Company's tug Pilot wont out into tho harbour and searched about for over four hours.

TELEGRAPH INTERRUPTED. Christchurch, May 2. Tho southerly.' which began yesterday, increased in intensity during the night, and, when tho day broke, tho weather in Canterbury was cold and s<uially with occasional showers of rain. Heavy snow was reported yesterday from tho Mackenzie Country. A bad break occurred in the telegraph lino twelve miles north of Kaikoura this morning, and telegraphic communication with tho North Island via the East Coast was interrupted, but, by 12.30, one shaky wire was working through to Blenheim. METEOROLOGIST'S REPORT. A REMARKABLE RAINFALL. Mr. D. C. Bates, tho Government Meteorologist, reported yesterday that tho cause of the big soutnorly gale was a cyclone centring off the East Coast of the North Island. Tho velocity of tho wind was very .high, and between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. yesterday there was one 6quall which registered a speed of 58 miles an hour. Tho rainfall has been remarkably heavy. Between 6 p.m. and midnight on Thursday tho average was .38 of an inch per hour, and for tho 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday tho fall was 5.70 inches, whereas tho total fall for tho whole of April was only 2.83 inches. More cold and stwiny went'ner was anticipated, with snow on tho high levels in tho South and North Islands, and very heavy seas on the East Ccast.

Many of tho residents along Pctono's iratcr-i'ront were inconvenienced in the early morning yesterday, and throughout tho day, by tlio heavy rain beating and soaking through 5 the houses. One family, in particular, having a bad time with water. Soveral slight washouts have occurred in tho Petone water mains, and yesterday morning the' largo reservoir was oversowing. A family residing on the Hutt Road tvcre driven to tho -front of tho house to live, owing to the. amount of water entering at tho back of tho dwelling. All the low-lying portions of Aliootown oro under water, lift in censed about 5 o'clock last night, but it was still blowing hard and the prospects of fine weather were poor. The oldest residents in tho vnlloy state they can never remember a storm in which the rain was so heavy and penetrating. Tho Hutt River last niglit had gcnp down considerably, but was etcil very high. All the small creeks aro flooded.

Ever since the Defonco Department instituted its drainago scheme through M'Culloch's Swamr, at Trentham, Silverstream suffers grc.tly in weather such as that which provailed yesterday and on Thursday. Reselling already flooded local streams, the drainago causes overflows in tho vicinity of the post office and railway station, washing away metal from tho roads and invndating housos. At Trentham yesterday alxmt fifty of the 150 Territorials who go into camp for tho most part on Monday, put in a voluntary appearance, and, in tho midst of a heavy downpour, looking exceptionally bright and cheerful withal—all savo ono youth from the Poriraa stablos, who journeyed via Johnsonville and Ngahanranga Gorgo to join them. Ho was tho only ono without a great coat or uniform, and ho was wet and shivering, but ho had no complaint against cither drill or weather. This year tho men will bivouac an tho defence buildings.