THE NORTH-WESTERLY GALE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1440, 27 September 1878, Page 2

THE NORTH-WESTERLY GALE.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS, At Coalgate tne roof of the goods-shed was also torn off by the wind and blown away a d.stance of several miles. At South Rakaia the river was very high, and it was quite expected last evening that if tho water did not go down the south end of the bridge would be carried away, as the water was almost on a level with the top of the bridge. At Doyleston several houses were swept away. Many cottages were blown down, and also tho slaughter-house belonging to Mr T. Green. One closet was lifted thirty yards on to another section without leaving a mark on the ground to show whore it lay. All business was stopped the greater part of the day. The telegraph wires between Ashburton and Rakaia were blown down, but the injury was subsequently repaired, but at eight o’clock last night communication south of Ashburton was completely interrupted. During the wind storm at Oxford a mail addressed to the postmaster at Rangiora, wrapped in a paper parcel, was blown out of tho guard’s van, aud has not since been hoard of. At Ohoka the Oddfellows’ Hall was blown off it s piles. At Rangiora part of the roof of a cottage near the Club was taken away by the wind, and a chimney in High street blown over. At Kaiapoi the wind was more felt than on the previous day. The Waimakariri came down in heavy flood on Wednesday evening, the water rising rapidly from about 9 o’clock, and on Thursday morning the north road between the Courtenay Arms and Kaiapoi was flooded. The overflow of the river also found a vent through the sandhills towards Mrs Stewart’s land, and covered the railway with water to a depth of two feet for a length of two or three chains. Traffic along the line was stopped during the day, and arrangements made to run coaches. Thanks to the prompt action taken by Mr M'Kenna, the Kaiapoi stationmaster, who at some risk drove a buggy through the flood on the north road the mails and morning newspapers were put forward without any delay, and persons north of Chainey’s have him alone to thank for being tho means of forwarding the mails without delay, as no other arrangement had been entered into for their being sent on. Daring Thursday the flood rose with the tide at mid-day, but subsided, and traffic will bo restored as soon as possible. No apprehension of danger existed at Kaiapoi, as the flood was well within the embankments. Tho encroachments made near Mr Ellen’s wool works were of a threatening nature. It is time the Government removed the cause of so much injury to this portion of the borough.

The 12.15 train from Amberley was met by the gale on the bridge, and the top of one of the carriages was lifted completely oil and blown away to a considerable distance. The train was compelled to take shelter under the lee of some gum trees, where it remained for some time. It then returned to Amberly, but made a fresh start, leaving for Christchurch at five o’clock last evening. At Lyttelton the gale continued blowing furiously all yesterday, but little or no damage was done in Lyttelton, except that several roofs wore damaged and two or three chimneys were blown down.