A SOUTHERLY GALE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2139, 4 May 1914, Page 6

A SOUTHERLY GALE

SHIPPING DELAYED

MINOR DAMAGE REPORTED

A heavy southerly gale visited Wellington on Saturday, causing much inconvenicnco to shipping and several of ,tho coastal steamers which were scheduled to leave port were detained in consequence. Steamers arriving at Wellington from coastal ports reported heavy weather in Cook Strait. The Pateona, which cleared Picton at 6 p m on Saturday, did not arrive hero till 1 ajn. yesterday. She received a severe 'dusting" crossing the . Strait, but came through the ordeal without damage. The small coastal steamer Wairau, which left here for Blenheim at 2 a.m. on Saturday, was compelled to put into Picton for.shelter at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. It is reported that she suffered some damage to- her bulwarks. On account of the gale the departure of the Nikau from Wellington for Nelson was postponed from 2 p.m. till 10.5 p.m. on Saturday. Heavy weather is reported on the East Coast, and the steamers bound from northern ports to Wellington are expected to be lato in arriving here. . During the storm a raft, containing a derrick, which was* used in the construction of the new light between Somes and Ward Islands, drifted towards Petono, dragging its anchor. It finally "anchored" itself about 300 yards from the beach.

A portion of the sowcrage works at Petono suffered somewhat through the storm. A section of earthenware piping along the Esplanade was ready to be surrounded with concrete, hut owing to the carrying away of. the hanks a large quantity of spoil was precipitated on to the bare, pipes. This will require removing before the concreting can proceed. The force of the gale also drove- a quantity of sand several feet up the completed section of piping. Owing to a slight "wash-out" near Ngahauranga, the "up" line only was utilised throughout Saturday for' the suburban trains. Repairs were speedily effected, however, and "both lines were in use yesterday. lated to'.the, Elf. dam of Bleriot. The BAD WEATHER ELSEWHERE. (By Telejraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 3. A heavy south-west gale prevailed yesterday, with heavy rain and ' thunder. The telegraph wires in various parts of the,province are reported to be down, communication in many directions being delayed. The troops in camp at Hautapu are reported to be having an unenviable time. The ■ sun shone brightly" to-day, blit the wiiid continued.

Wanganui, May 3. A heavy galo raged during-the weekend, but it ls'itow beautifully fine. •