THE RECENT GALE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4040, 11 January 1930, Page 3

THE RECENT GALE.

DAMAGE DONE TO POWER LINES.

Foxton, according to reports, escaped the worst of the recent storm. Although -the gale reached a very high force locally it apparently did not come up to what Shannon and other places along the bills experienced. Mr. H. Reid, in charge of the local Horowhenua Power Board sub-station and lines, reports that very little damage was done to local tines but that the Power,Board gangs were kept going continuously at Shannon and* in the surrounding district carrying out repairs to damaged power lines, working day and night.during the last few days. Yesterday a gang left Shannon to remove some trees which were threatening the power lines at Lady’s Mile but they had no sooner reached here than they had to return on more urgent business. Between Shannon and Levin many lines were affected and so strong was the wind that in many cases repairs could not he carried out owing- to the men being unable to use a ladder on the poles. Some farmers, as a result had to milk by hand.

Mr. J. Newton (local postmaster) reports that scarcely any damage was done to local telephone lines. A big pole supporting the main lines north snapped off a few feet from the -top half wav round the bend between Russell Street and the railway line and the lines sagged down but miraculously enough did not even make contact and the service was maintained without interruption until the linemen ‘were able to put- in' a new pole, which work was completed last night. One oi two party lines were affected at Moutoa but these were speedily rectified. There was no interruption in the service whatever. At the Beach conditions were anything (but pleasant but no damage was reported. At Malkcrua a quantity of fibre in the paddocks was blown about but local paddocks were not seriously affected.

Two motorists at Levin are reported to have lost the hoods off their cars on Thursday.