ON THE COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 498, 11 August 1902, Page 2

ON THE COAST.

DAMAGE TO TATAPOUEI HOTEL,

Telephonic messages received in town last evening • from the Coast show that tho full force of the gale was felt iu that quarter, and that considerable damage had resulted. A Times reporter was malting enquiries concerning tho steamer, and succeedod in getting into communication with Mr C. 11. Burdett, of Tatapouri.

*' What is the weather like in Gisborne ?” asked Mr Burdett

“ It is blowing a fearful gale,” replied our reporter; “have you seen tho steamor?”

11 Oh, bother you and your steamer,” remarked the genial host of the Tatapouri Hotel, “ we can seo nothing here but timber and iron Hying about in all directions. My verandah is blown out to sea, the stable has been turned up-sido down, tho fowl-house and contents are somewhere up tho Coast, whilst a kennel containing a dog is missing. Several of the windows in the house are smashed in, and I expect to see the house go next.” Our representative sympathised with Mr Burdett in regard to his loss, and the latter in reponse to further questions, said that the weather was tho worst experience on the Coast during his residence there, a period of upwards of fourteen years. Tho gale was at its height at halfpast six, and stones as large as eggs were being blown about. Tho dog in the kennel bolongod to Mr Goodloy, of Tolngo Bay, and although a search was made, last evening it could not bo found. Mr Burdett said that the only visitor at the hotel last evening was Mr Maurice Fitzgerald, of Tolago Bay, and that gentleman, who is an old Coastite, states that the gale was the severest that he has any recollection of. “ A LIVING GALE.” “ It is a living gale here,” remarked Mr J. Shaw, of tho Pakarae Hotel. “ I bavo never seen anything to equal it. There has been a good deal of rain to day, and it has been bitterly cold. The house is shaking to such an extent that I can hardly hear you speak. The river is rising slowly.” SNOW AT HIKUWAI. Tho party of telegraph line-men at present camping at the Hikuwai report that the weather yesterday was the most severe that they have experienced in this district for many years. For a couple of hours in the morning, there was at short intervals a fall of snow, the weather at the time being bitterly cold. In tho afternoon, a gale from tho south sprang up, and continued with groat force during the evening. Heavy ran followed, and tho rivers were rising fast. From Tokomavu >ukl Other coastal stations, similar reports wore received ns regards tho severity of tho weather.

AT TOLAGO BAY. “ The weather is bitterly cold, and it has been raining heavily since noon,” was the information received from Tolago Bay. “A south-west gale set in this evening, and at the present time it is blowing a hurricane. The Uawa is fast rising.”

TELEGRAPH LINES DOWN. At half-past ten yesterdav morning telegraph communication between Gisborne and Napier was cut off, the heavy gale having caused a break in the line. The damage is supposed to have occurred between Murewai and Wairoa, and the linemen have been sent out from both places to make the necessary repairs. Mr Nicol left Gisborne yesterday afternoon, and reached Murewai last evening. He will leave that place early this morning, and it is hoped that communication will be restored by noon to-day. DAMAGE IN TOWN.

Considerable damage was done to property in town, and a number of business people will be put to considerable loss. Almost in every case the dispiay of bunting made on Saturday was left flying, with the result that it has been partly ruined. Flags, bunting and other decorations were scattered in the streets last evening, and every squail.that came up did further damage. The very handsome patriotic arch design at the gate of Dr Cole’s residence was carried ay/av, and at one time grave fears were entertained for the safety of the belfry arch. CHIMNEY AND KITCHEN PARTI ALLY WRECKED.

During the height of the gale lasi nigh Mr J. it. Redstone’s, family had a sen sational experience which was braveli gone through. Mr and Miss Redstone had gone to church, and Mrs Rodstom and Mrs Wilcox (her daughter), were sit ting in the dining-room. They were just about to retire to bed when there came e deafening clattering, or as Mrs Wiloo) I aptly expressed it—“ it was like the firing | of pom-poms when the charge hit some obstacle’” Crash after crash thero came, and the startled ladies could not for the time being realise what was happening. The wind was loudly roaring, the bricks were toppling on to the roof of the kitchen, the roof itself was collapsing, and the rain pouring in, and sheets of iron W ere dying about, and increasing the din as one piece clattered against other pieces. The iron roof of one of: Mr Redstone’s coach stables had been blown off, and the effects were whirled about in an alarming’ fashion. I Some of the sheets of iron came smashing I against the chimney, about forty feet dis° j tout, with the result that a partial collapse of the chimney stack was caused, and while that was proceeding the iron was still being forcibly torn off by the wind and scattered about; indeed, the din was so great that it was not quite clear which had ■ occurred first. The falling bf'icks smashed some of the window panes, and altogether I the inmates had ;uch a time that few would care to experience. Tittle Godfrey Redstone was asleep in a room adjoining the kitchen, and was quickly taken to an inner room. Tonis Redstone had A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. There having been apparently a lull in the severity of the weather, ho went out to milk the cow. When the first crash took place the c-ow fell down with fright. The r youth could uot make out what was the matter. Fearing that he would attempt to come into the house b.v the back waj’, Mrs Redstone and Mrs Wilcox went to the window and shouted out to come round to the front door, but there was no chance of their voices being heard above the wind, and remarkable to relate Louis went through it all without a scratch, going into the house by the back entrance with the debris whirling about him in a way that- would have frightened any man. Messrs Oswald Redstone, W. McKinley, J. Henn, and others arrived upon the I' scene, and with the aid of lanterns cleared the debris up into some sort of order. This .work was a rather perilous one from the way missiles were being hurled abuut by the wind. The kitchec, j

which partially collapsed so that the place | was flooded, was a new addition to the house. It had only been erected about I eighteen months. The house is neat' the stables, and faces tbc river-bank enclosure near Lowe street. A VERANDAH DOWN. The verandah of EMcrbeck’s photographic studio was blown down last evening by a strong gust of wind, and went through the window in two places. Photographs were scattered about, and many of the pictures were considerably damaged. OTHER DAMAGE. The window in Mr A. N. Attwood’s shop was also blown in by the force of the gale. Nearly all the street- and hotel lights were blown out by the gale, including the wharf lights. Mr Euro’s light was set at full by the wind, and was twice turned down by the night watchman. THE TE ANAU. The Te Auau arrived from Auckland at a-quarter past six last- evening. The weather was too rough to tender the boat, so the signal was given to wait until daylight. The steamer was in shelter under Young Nick’s Head, and if the weather is tine will be tendered at 0 o'clock this morning. The following passengers have booked for South Mrs Adamson, Misses Old, Prosser (2), Messrs Natusch, Sunderland, Gibbs, Quigley, Sicvcnson, A. L. D. Fraser, Palairet, Anderson, Williams, Campbell, Haismau, and Hon. J. Carroll. 4