CYCLONIC WIND

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1928, Page 2

CYCLONIC WIND

A heavy cyclonic wind passed over tlie northern part of the town, and did a good deal of general damage in its passage. The wind came in from the son about 8.30 tins morning at the time when a strong wind from the north-west with heavy rain storm was veering round to the south-west. it must have taken something of the form of a whirlwind, and preyed on everything that came ill its way. Quite a considerable amount of general damage was done.

The Excelsior Club’s training shed in North Rcvcll Street was demolished being levelled to the ground. Fences and trees in the vicinity also suffered, much minor damage being dona .in that

respect. The Excelsior shed is a complete wreck. Portion of the roof and sides smashed into lievell Street, flattening out the electric light lino and smashing some of the poles. ' A large portion of the roof went right across the road, over the fence and pulled up against the verandah of the home ol Mr J. Mclntyre, where it lay, blocking entrance to the home till this portion was dismantled, the house also suffering other damage. The top of a brick chimney at Mr zanders’ residence in Fitzherbert street collapsed, but the damage is not serious. Reports continue to come to hand of fences, outhouses and gardens that have suffered damage.

-■lr Hugh Park’s residence in upper Fitzherbert Street also suffered from the visitation.' A brick chimney was brought down by the wind and crashed through the roof and the ceiling ol the room below. Rafters were broken and general damage done in a few brief moments. Fences also in the same locality suffered.

As if the Westland Racing Club had not had enough misfortune of late, the wind paid an unwelcome visit to the racecourse where it did further havoc. During the past week workmen under Mr D. Stevenson, have been lifting the outside grandstand preparatory to moving it to the site of the stand destroyed by fire last month, llie building had been lifted into position ready for launching yesterday and ways were being put in position to-day, when the whirlwind approached with a roar. Light debris began to fly and the workmen ran for shelter. Then the wind lifted the northern end of the stand, and eventually the whole twostorey building and launched it off the screw-jacks and packing about 3 feet towards the course, and ono foot along the journey the building is destined to take. ' The effect of this damage is to destroy the week’s work of several workmen in lifting the building and the work had to he started denovo after the storm subsided. In shifting the building, which stood the strain exceedingly well, some of the new six by six plates were broken and other minor damage done. Only one pane of glass was damaged. About the grounds, however, additional damage was done. The dividing picket fence at the end of the lawn was demolished, some of the material being carried some distance. A shutter was blown off the judge’s box and some glass broken. Some iron at the hack of the stand was taken up by the wind, carried roumr the front of the stand, and. deposited finally at the bird-cage. One sheet of iron was carried far down the course, and was caught by the iron arm on the seven furlongs starting post halfway down the where in the ordinary course there would he woiuleiment as to how it secured such a position. Some other minor damage was <lone about the course and grounds, though on the whole it appears a lucky escape for the Club, seeing the manner in which the wind sported with the grandstand. The workmen started at once on the work of against raising the building for removal to the new site.