NORTH-EASTERLY GALE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4929, 22 January 1926, Page 2

NORTH-EASTERLY GALE.

MINOR DA MAG E DON E. FRUIT TREES & GARDENS SUFFER Following on several days' of unsettled weather a nor’-easterly gale set in locally shortly after 6 o’clock night. During the night very heavy rain fell, and at times the wind blew with almost hurricane force. The rough weather continued this morning, and judging by the rapid fall of the barometer there is no immediate prospect of line weather.

At the time of going to press no serious damage had been reported. The Taniwha, which left Auckland yesterday afternoon, reached Paeroa at 2 o’clock this morning. Good weather prevailed until late afternoon, when the wind freshened considerably from .the north-east, and the passengers experienced rather an uncomfortable time until the Waihou River was reached.

About 10.30 o’clock last night the electric light failed for about an hour, the cause of the stoppage being the breaking of a high tension shackle at the Paeroa .transformer. Owing to damage to a lightning arrester on the high tens,ion line at the Waikino station a slight interruption in the power supply was occasioned locally about nine o’clock this morning.

Tire postmaster, Paeroa, reports that no damage has occurred to the services under his control, and all the lines are working satisfactorily.

Fruit trees have received a severe buffeting by the storm, and much loss has been caused by the fruit being blown off. Small shrubs a,nd gardens have .also been damaged. The county portion of Puke Road is liberally strewn with willow branches, and leaves this manning. In some parts of the borough trees and shrubs have suffered considerably. A.t the domain the large cabbage tree, covered with wisteria, nea;r the entrance to the bowling green, was levelled to the ground during the night.

The weather so far has made little difference to the depth of the water in the (Ohinemuri River.