HEAVY GALE AT NAPIER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 298, 12 September 1919, Page 6

HEAVY GALE AT NAPIER

COASTAL STEAMER ASHORE. . Mr T»leErai..i—l'rees Aiioclatlon. Napier,'September-11. An easterly gale was experienced at Napier last night. The sea was beaten into high fury, and many small vessels in tho bay experienced considerable difficulty in reaching port. About du6k an unknown four-masted schooner put in an appearance in the bay. but has not been seen since. It is believed that the captain, after picking up his bearings, managed to beat out-to sea again, in spite of the exceptional fury of the storm. The Homo liner Otira, in. the roadstead, dragged her anchor a couple of ship's lengths, but rode tho storm safely. The coastal steamer Tuatu.ran ashore at the mouth "of the Mohaka River. Stops have been taken to unload the vessel, and a goodly portion of the cargo i 6 already off. Tho Arahura, despito a dangerous sea, remained at tho breakwater. The gale caused much minor damage in Napier, fruit trees suffering badly. HEAVY BAIN AND FLOODS' IN ' MARLBOROUGH. Blenheim, September 11. A rain storm from the south-east set in yesterday evening,- and rain poured incessantly .throughout the night and continued to-dajynnd lias every appearance of keeping on. Tho Taylor River is bank high. The residents in the vicinity of tho flood area are very anxious. It is hoped that tho banks will 1 , stand. Tho Oniaka and the Opawa Rivers are also holding'largo bodies of: water. - There are extensive looal overflows in some directions. Fairhall and adjacent dis-_ tricts are inundated. A number .of farms are. affected, and crops between Blonheim, Rcnwick, and Rivcrlands are flooded. Picton experienced a deluge, water pouring from every fissure and cavity in the hills adjoining tho town. The road at Tuamarina is under water, . HEAVY RAIN AT KAIKOURA. *' By TelecraDU—Prens ABaooUtlon. Christchurch, September 11.; Advice from Kaikourn states that six inches -of rain have fallen in the last twenty-four hours. Thero is even; indication of a Hood, and road traffic is blocked north aud south by slips. ■

Tho Chief Postmaster at Blenheim telegraphed to the Genera! Post Office at 4 p.m. yesterday statins that heavy rain had fallen throughout tho district, tho Taylor River had commenced to overflow into the street, and there was danger of a flood.