FREAK TORNADO

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1927, Page 3

FREAK TORNADO

NEW YORK. May 7. Casualties amounting to more than 200 dead and 800 injured are recordeded to-day as the result of a series of freak storms which yesterday swept through the Middle-West States. Largo areas were devastated in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas and Illinois. The winds played a. game of draughts with dozens of small towns, bopping over some, alighting on others. and destroying buildings by the

score. The experiences of Poplar Rluff. Missouri, are typical. From behind a bank of lowering clouds came pelting bail, which covered the streets with ice. A roar from the south-east warned the citizens that the tornado was upon them. Three minutes later it thundered down, cutting a path a mile long and half a mile wide through the town. The populace rushed panic-stricken into the streets as fire broke out among the ruins. When the tornado had passed the injured numbered 20!) and the dead 40. Next to Missouri the heaviest sufferer was Arkansas, where 70 were killed and 350 wounded. An empty train at Walnut Ridge was (blown off the track and capsized.

H IGHEST-Ii ATED TOWN

30s. 7tu. ON EVERY £1

LONDON, May 2.

The Corporation of Merthyr Tydvil decided by a majority last night to levy an increased borough and district rate on the basis of 21s 61 d for the year, as I against *2os 1A cl for last year. In addition to this the guardians poor rate will be 9s Icl as against 7s O'd hist year. The total Methyr rates for the vea«r will therefore be 30s 7}d as against 27s 2d. The increase includes tbe increased call of Is lid for water supplied in bulk by the laff Fechan Water Supply Board. Merthyr is the highest-rated South AA'ales town. The new rate means that occupants of houses with a rateable value of. sav, £3O will' have to pay £45 18s 9d in rates.