A WHIRLWIND

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1929, Page 4

A WHIRLWIND

CAUSES CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE Bv Telegraph.—Special to Guajvoun). WAIMATE, January 9. A whirlwind lasting about a minute and a-half was experienced at Wailmo Forks on Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Extensive damage was done to the *• homestead and its surroundings of Mr X William C. Ashworth, who has a farm at Allanholmo, and considerable damage was done in the vicinity of the Ulauholine coal mine. .\ir Ashworth’s house was lifted two feet off its hearings, and turned round slightly. The kitchen chimney and the washhouse chimney were levelled and the iron roof was torn off the washhouse. The roof of the house in other parts was rendered noil-water-tight. Many pine trees in tlic vicinity of the house were uprooted and others bent. The orchard was completely ruined, several trees being rooted out. A wliare was smashed to matchwood and a stable and adjoining shed were completely wrecked. A sheaf stack was also carried away. A dray against a ifencc among the trees was lifted over a fence and a gig under the trees was carried for a chain and -a half and smashed. At the Allan Holme coal mine, a short distance from the homestead, a small house was lifted, half of it being '•arried two chains. All the mine staging was torn down, and several tclenliono poles adjacent to the mine and homestead were snapped off 'from four feet from the ground. The whirlwind, however, was confined to this small area. jfc,