YESTERDAY'S STORM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 827, 16 April 1910, Page 3

YESTERDAY'S STORM.

DAMAGE BY STORM WATER.

The weather during the past few days throughout this district has been very stormy. Yesterday afternoon a heavy thunderstorm, accompanied by a strong westerly gale, and torrents of rain and hail broke over the district. The rain was so torrential that for a time it was almost impossible to see further than 50 yards ahead. Drivers of vehicles were compelled to pull up and back to the storm. Trees, gardens and fences were damaged, and hardly a dwelling escaped without some leak opening. One of the class rooms in the local school had to be abandoned on account of a leak in the skylight. The water found its way into a number of shops in Main Street, and goods were damaged. Messrs Barber and Co’s engineering shop floor was flooded, the water making its way in through the roof.

Perhaps the greatest damage was done at Mrs Hamer’s drapery establishment. Apparently the roof gutters became choked, and the water simply poured through on to the goods in the mercery department. Every effort was made to remove the goods out of harm’s way, and holes were bored in the floor to get rid of the water, but despite these efforts about worth of stock was considerably damaged. The gutters soon overflowed with storm water, and business people had to close their doors. The storm has greatly interfered with local shipping. The Queen of the South, which left Wellington for Foxton on Thursday, is sheltering either at Kapiti or in the sounds.

The s.s. Gertie, which finished loading on Wednesday evening, has been unable to leave the port. The s.s- Wairau, coal laden, went ashore at the heads on Wednesday, and was got off on Thursday afternoon, arriving at the wharf yesterday afternoon. Reports from South state that shipping at Greymouth has been hung up. The sea is still considerable, but the weather is now breaking fine.