SOUTH-EASTERLY GALE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 176, 1 May 1939, Page 2

SOUTH-EASTERLY GALE

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE MANY TREES BROKEN SHEDS DEMOLISHED The Opotiki district wns visited by au exceptionally heavy south-easterly gale during the week-end and even to-day the wind lias been of considerable strength at times. The wind; rose quickly shortly after noon on Saturday and was soon blowing with gale force, accompanied hv very violent gusts. At about noon yesterday the wind was also very strong and early last night there was a period of high wind, which shook buildings.. There was a serious power failure on Saturday night during the shopping period and candles and other means of illumination had to be resorted to. Picture patrons had! a long wait but power was again restored betwe'eu. P.dO and 111 o’clock. Telephonic communication was also interrupted by the wind and broken trees. Everywhere throughout the town and 'district battered trees can be seen, sonic' .trees being blown right clown. The gale also played havoc with gardens. which were badly, battered about. The damage howeyor would have been much greater had the wind been accompanied by heavy rain. Many sheds suffered damage, iron being torn off and blown about. A big shed at the rear of the Onotiki woolworks collapsed in a heap. Fences also suffered damage, sections of iron fences being blown out and other requiring to be propped lip. A number of wifeless poles were snapped Off. A section of the ornamental trees in St. John Street struck the full Jorce . of the wind and: n fine flowering gum in front of Mr. AY. T. Burrett’s residence was blown right off the roots, while two other tree guards nearby were blown over, but fortunately the trees were only slightly damaged. A pine tree close’by. on Mr. C. Morris’s boundary was blown over. Sheds oil farms were damaged and iron was blown off’ some of the haystacks. Motorists found conditions on the roads very chiring exceptionally violent gust.S* it was found to keep cars cm the,road 1 . Old cars suffered damage to hoods. Slliftv ' V .; . A. \