THE RECENT GALE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4930, 25 January 1926, Page 2

THE RECENT GALE.

TELEPHONIC INTERRUPTION.

ORCHARDS AND GARDENS SUFFER

Almost as quickly as it arose the nor’-easterly gale which prevailed on Thursday night and all day Friday eased off in its severity about 10 o’clock on Friday night.

During the 24 hours that the gale lasted it assumed ajmost cyclonic force at intervals. Although there was not a very heavy rainfall, driving showers accompanied the wind, which blew chiefly from the northcast, but appeared to change its direction a‘ few points at frequent intervals.

Considerable damage of a minor nature has been reported within the boough. Residents with fruit trees, of any kind have suffered heavily, as the fruit was stripped from the trees-, and in many instances branches were broken off and strewn in all directions.

Gardens also received a severe buffeting, and maiuy choice flowero have been ruined. Hedges and ornamental trees were damaged, pnd wooden and iron fences were either blown,flat, or partly lowered. Of the larger species of trees damaged the willows suffered most. The long avenue of willows on Puke Road received, 1 the ful;l force of the gale, and apart from the branches that were broken off, whole trees in some cases were uprooted.

A particularly fine willow on the property of Mrs Crosby in Hughendon Street, planted as a sapling by the late Mr Edwin Edw.ards, nearly 45 years ago, was broken off a,t the ground, and now lies a tangled mass. A stately tree near Mr Porritt’s' office split in half and crashed to the ground, narrowly missing- a nearby residence.

The force of the wind can be judged by the’ fact that the fli'ebell tower, situated in Princes, Street near the new post office, was caught in a chopping wind and for some time lay at a dangerous angle .towards the east. The borough staff and other willing helpers made a good save by propping the structure with heayy timber. Had the tower fallen considerable damage would have been caused to it, and to the electric power lines'. The loca.l Post and Telegraph staff had an anxious time, but they were equal to the occasion. On the main Paeroa-Waihi read a telegraph pole came down, and all communication was disorganised for some time. '

- On Friday atfernoon a large willow at the rear of Mr W. Barclay’s residence in Willoughby Street crashed across the wires and caused considerable damage to local telephone communication. However, through the energies of the, repair gangs a minimum of iiicpnvenience and delay was occasioned.

The local staff of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board spent a, most anxious and arduous time in maintaining continuity of the power supply. Apart from the interruptions mentioned in Friday’s “Gazette” there were no stoppages of a serious nature. The chief trouble was caused through branches of trees falling across the wires a,nd either breaking them or causing a short-circuit. As with the telegraph gang, the work of the Power Board's staff was extremely difficult and arduous owing to the high wind and driving rain, the full force of which was met with as soon as the long ladders were climbed. Happily no accidents of any kind have been reported.

The Ohinemuri River rose 14 feet, reaching the 19'% feet mark on the gauge at the Criterion Bridge, on Friday afternoon, but by 11 o'clock on Saturday morning it had receded to the 14 feet mark.

The local office of the Public Works, Department reported on Saturday morning that no damage or loss, had occurred. Owing to the flooding of Hikutaja Creek some anxiety was felt for the safety of . the No. 2 Rushton dredge, which had been at work shortening the lower reaches of the creek by stop-banking. Other than the flooding of the pit no damage was done. The suddenness of the storm, and the ' equal suddenness of itsi cessation, shows that i,t way of cyclonic origin.

Saturday morning dawned with a cl’ea.r sky- and sunshine. Other than for the debris of leaves and branches that lay about it was a hard matter to realise that such a storm had 'raged the previous l day.