SEVERE STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1929, Page 5

SEVERE STORM

.MUCH DAMAGE IN WELLINGTON

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 25

An unexpectedly severe storm rail'd during the early hours this morning, and has left a trail of wreckage. A heavy downpour of rain fell during the evening hut gave no indication that one of the worst southerlies ever experienced in the summer was to follow.

Hutt railway has again suffered severe damage, washouts having taken place at various parts between Petone and Ngahauranga, and trains are being confined once again to the inner trade. The city was strewn with leaves aml branches, gardens being wrecked in all directions. Many boats were torn from their moorings and piled up on the beaches, and even the Maheno, lying in Evans Bay. broke loose, and a tug load to be despatched to rescue her.

A CORRECTION

WELLINGTON, Jan. 25

In the storm the Maheno did not break away, one mooring rope parting. The tugs Nature and Terawhiti were sent to Evans Bay and they stood by until the big steamer was properly tied up,

HIGH SEAS.

WATER BREAKS THROUGH SAND HILLS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25

As a result of high seas water broke through the sandhills at the mouth of the Waimakluriri yestereve, flooding several houses at Kairaki to considerable depth, and forcing the hoys in the Y.M.C.A. slimmer camp to shift to higher ground. At one point the water was over the bonnets of the ears in garages. Similar experiences befell several residents in Bexley, alongside the Avon, where the water entered twenty houses, causing damage to furnishings. The stock had been taken to a drier district.

The ferry steamer .Maori was over live hours’ late..

DAMAGE'S CANTERBURY CROPS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25

A strong south-wester, with heavy rain and hail, has been experienced in Canterbury for two days, damaging many ripening crops and wheat in stock.

The tram service at Cashmere Hills wore held up yestereve owing to the fierce gale blowing a tree over the line.

MAORI’S ROUGH TRIP

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25

The Miiori, with 350 passengers, received a terrific battering from heavy head seas on the journey from Wellington and was six hours late. Captain Irwin said it was one of the worst trips he had ever experienced.

TWO CHILDREN INJURED

CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 25

As the result- of a head-on collision with a motor car, two brothers. Ernest and 11. Humphries, were thrown out of a gig on tlie Hiccarton Hoad, Ernest receiving a. fractured leg and sih brother head injuries.