STORM AT TARANAKI.

Evening Post, Issue 43, 29 March 1865, Page 2

STORM AT TARANAKI.

From the Wanganui Chrouicle of the 25th itist, we learn that on Friday morning last Taranaki was visited by a most terrific storm. The hurricane lasted for thirty-six h«urs, and destroyed some thousands of pounds worth of property. For some days previous, the weather had looked threatening, and on Thursday it commenced to rain heavily ; wind S.E. Towards midnight it increased to a gale ; and by daylight all the streams were flooded, swelling the Huatoki, which overflowed *its banks as it approached the sea. By eight a.m. the tide had risen to an unprecedented height, and the waves broke on the beach, doing great damage. The work of destruction continued, the enormous force of the seething and boiling surf beat back the swollen waters of the Huitoki; a jetty at the month of the river was swept away by a portion of the wreck of the Wee Tottie, weighing many tons, being dashed against it. The huge monster was then forced with overwhelming power up the river, demolishing everything that it dashed against ; it carried away the spirit store ot Mr. Endrcs, the proprietor of the Taranaki Hotel. The sea wall that is in course 08 erection remained firm ; if it had given way many buildings on the banks of the river must have been destroyed. Great fears were expressed for the safety of the Custom House and the Bonded Stores. A large body of men, amounting to over 800, volunteered to assist in removing the bonded goods to a place of safety, but long before this could be accomplished, the tide was breaking with great fury against the building. To those whe were engaged in saving property the danger was very great ; not only were they likely to be carried away by the receding tide, but the floa'ing debris endangered their limbs. One man was seriously injured, and many more or less bruised. In ths Bonded Stores there was a costly organ, just imported for ihe Church of England, which iortunately escaped uninjured. The loss to the Bonded Stores is estimated at £500. In the town the principal sufferers are Messrs. Endres and Co. and Mr. Silcock. The strongsst wind was blowing on Friday at midnight.