STORM AT HOKITIKA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1231, 9 April 1914, Page 2

STORM AT HOKITIKA.

WAVES INVADE THE TOWN

A terrible storm visited Hokitika last night, and a fierce norwest gale raged. Big seas pounded against the back fences aud rear of the premises facing Revell Street, and tremendous damage was wrought. Great damage was done at the rear of the Empire Hotel, five fully furnished rooms being washed away.

Fences werj smashed into all shapes, buildings were wrecked, and parts of them were overhanging the bank which the sea had cut. Numerous houses were washed away entirely. The gale also did considerable damage in the town. The top was blown off the grandstand at the racecourse, aud many windows were blown in, and buildings unroofed and damaged. A large storeroom, belonging to Messrs M’Kav and Sons, was reduced to matchwood by the storm. Several very large waves came over the bank between the beach and town, aud a surging torrent ran down into the main street, and overflowed the channelling. Hundreds ot pounds worth of protective works have been demolished, and all. the labour rendered useless by the encroachments of the sea.

The rear of Messrs M’Kay and Son’s drapery establishment was washed out to sea. A willing band of workers assisted to remove the goods towards the front portion oi the premises. Although considerable loss has been sustained during the past few mouths, the erosion had not affected the main buildings, but the recent heavy sea has in several instances reached these, and the outlook is somewhat alarming.