Gale in the North

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 6

Gale in the North

— Press Association.)

TRAIL 0F DAMAGE Anxious Time For Ships at Auckland BIG SEAS IN HARBOUR

(By Telejrraph-

AUCKLAND, Jan. 15. The strong east-south-east wind of yesterday rose to gale force during the night to raise big seas in the harbour and gulf and to leave a general trai] of damage over a wide area. At 10 o'clock last night the gale was in full force. It blew hard in fitful gusts through the nigjht, while this morning conditions on the waterfront were aa unpleasant as could be imagined. Short, steep seas were rocking the ferries, and at times a shroud of mist reduced visi* bility to a mile or eo. Reports received indicated that the traek of the storm was wide and that it was felt all over the province. It was an anxious time last evening for the acting-harbourmaster, Captain Wainhouse, and his statf, as two tugs were called on and launches had to stand by. The Mome liner Taranaki cleared Central Wharf at '9.15 outward bound for Opua in light draught. The Taranaki was very hard to handle, and she was swept up the harbour to the vicinity of the coal hulks before her anchors held. A tug was called for to swing her on. the turn of the tide, and at an early hour this morning the Taranaki got under way. "Tent Town" at Takapuna presented a sorry sight, and a number packed up and set off for home/ All the oecupants had a troubled night, especially when the storm was at its height, and in some cases, it was a case of holding down their canvas homes. The children this morning were rather enjoying the situation and did not seem to be suffering any ill effects. The trawler Coastguard made an attempt to go out last night on its regular trip, but found conditions too bad and sheltered for the night at Islington Bay. ' One skipper, asked as to the direction of the wind, said it was jumping and changing all round the compass through the night but that generally it was from the south-east. While orchardists in the country districts do not gp so far as to say that the gale has caused havoc among orchards, they report considerable damage, especially to apples. Fruit has been blown off the trees in large quantities, and in some instances the trees themselves have been uprooted.