A HEAVY GALE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2263, 7 August 1908, Page 2

A HEAVY GALE.

HIGH SEAS RUNNING. DELAYS TO SHIPPING. The storm that set in early on Wednesday from tile south raged with in-’ creased fury all day yesterday, the gulo blowing with terrific force across the Bay. After midnight a heavy sen was running, and at high tide at noon yesterday the breakers were beating right, "up to tlm sand banks, and tins breakwater and groyne were submerged. The force of I lie waves was so great that the huge black buov at the iineluirago slipped its cable and was w ished ashore on the beach midway between the river and Hie abattoirs.

Speaking to a “Times” reporter yesterday, the Ilarborm isler (Captain Gumming) said the sea was running higher than he had ever seen it this winter. The breakers wore entering the river, sending torrents of water over the protective works as they broke, and carrying flotsam and jetsam up the channel. At the outer harbor site the waves rolled in from across the ocean, and tile lane would have been a most opportune one for a m irine engineer to study the range of tlio site while high sens were rolling in. The huge waves showed that t<> construct a harbor of any service ■i breakwater of giant strength would bo necessary.

Tlio Union S.S. Co.’s Flora, due from Wellington, was sighted at about noon, and Captain Gumming signalled that tho anchorage was too_ rough to drop anchor, and the vessel heat about outside for some hours, looking like a phantom ship through the dense mist. Captain Ilawkes, of tho Tuatca, decided not. to tender tlio Flora until this morning. The i.s Mokoia, wlreli left Auckland on Wednesday night, was sighted off East Capo at 12.15 p.m. yesterday. She was then in the full forco of the galo, and up to a late hour had not been sighted at Gisborne. Reports from the East Cape during the day stated that a high sea was running. Tho storm has been general tlirougout the district. Though tho wind was strong it was not cold, and stock mil young lambs have not suffered to any extent. Early yesterday morning a treo'dilow down and interrupted the iMuriwai telegraph line, and several other lilies were interrupt'd, but communication' was restored only in tlio evening. The mail coach from Waipiro could not leave owing to the flooded state of tlio creeks, while Messrs Redstone and Sons’ coaches had a bad journey to tho Coast, the horses having to swim tho Pouawa river, at great risk. Lato at night the storm showed signs of moderating, and there was hope of bettor weather to-day. Should weather conditions permit the Mokoia and Flora will lie tendered by the Tnatea at 9 o’clock this morning. The Flora will bo tendered first.

ROUGH WEATHER AT WELLINGTON. [Press Association.] AVELLINGTON, August 6. AVellington lias been visited by a violent southerly gale for the 24 hours which ended at 3 o’clock this morning. The gale averaged forty miles an hour, and its violence remains unabated. The forecast hints at colder weather. The heavy weather has somewhat demoralised the movements of shipping. The smaller vessels trading in or out of AVellington are either sheltering along the coast or are generally tied up at port. Th© Malieno, which, was due from Sydney yesterday, did not anpear in the bay till the afternoon of to-day. Rough seas delayed the speedy turbine nearly all the way from Sydney. She was thrashed by a head wind and was well drenched by the waves. One sea smashed off a couple of ventilators on the forecastle head as if they were carrots. Plenty of water came on board, but tho damage was very small. CAPTAIN EDWIN’S FORECAST." [Press Association.] AVELLINGTON. August G. The following is Captain Edwin’s forecast to 3 p.m. to-morrow:—Mod-erate to strong winds, principally from the southward, and fine weather generally. FLOOD AT WAIROA. AVHARVES UNDER AVATER. [Press Association.] AYAIROA, August 6. A heavy southerly gale prevails, with incessant rain. The river is in high flood, and the wharves are submerged. SOUTHERN WEATHER. [Presi Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 6. A strong southerly gale has been blowing along the coast since early yesterday morning, and has had the usual effect of delaying shipping. The turbine steamer Maori was an hqur late in reaching Lyttelton this morning, while up to 2 p.m. there was no sign of the Now Zealand Shipping Company’s ltimutaka, which left AVellington at 3 p.m. yesterday. NEW SOUTH WALES RAINFALL. United Press Association. Copyright

SYDNEY, August G. The showery weather continues. Over 15 inches of rain has fallen since Monday week.