GALE IN BULLER DAMAGES AIRCRAFT AND BUILDINGS

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1948, Page 8

GALE IN BULLER DAMAGES AIRCRAFT AND BUILDINGS

The storm on Saturday night and early yesterday extended along the West Coast hit Westport rather severely. On Saturday night the wind, drove heavy, rain in such a way aS to awaken many people. Loose iron could be heard being mpped from houses, sheds and fences. On top of the storm, the power failed in Westport at an early hour yesterday and remained off until 11 a.m. vendors of icecream were worried until the current returned. Power lines were blown down in a numoer or districts, while some trees were uprooted. Among roof,s 1° sustain loss of iron was that oi the St James Theatre AIRCRAFT DAMAGED A place to sustain the full force of the storip was Carter’s Beach, where the Westport aerodrome is located. The gale blew from their moorings two Moth planes belonging to the Nelson Aero Club. Ong of the machines landed over the power lines, whilst the other fared worse, being precipitated upon the roof of the Air Force hutments which were in use during the war. This plane was seriously damaged, but the other got off lightly. BULLER RIVER RISES HIGH The storm, while not otherwise welcome, may prove as regards the rain to have been timely, lor it set the Buller River into a high flood. There was a constant procession ’of driftwood out to sea yesterday, large logs indicating that heavy rain had fallen far inland. It is expected that the bar will have been cleared, aXt that no further coal cargoes will need to be railed for shipment at Greymouth SPORTS AFFECTED The wet week-end prevented the Buller Community Centre holding its Easter gala which was to have taken place at Victoria Square on Saturday afternoon It was postponed until next Saturday. The westport Amateur Athletic and Cyling Club ran a few of their events, but the wind up of the season is to take place on Wednesday. BULLER GORGE SLIP AFFECTED The heavy rain has rendered more troublesome the slip in the Buller Gorge at Windy Point. Big rocks are slipping down in the locality, where a bulldozer is being kept busy, and traffic is being guided through the slip. )