SWEEPS WELLINGTON

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 458, 16 February 1933, Page 5

SWEEPS WELLINGTON

(Press Assn.-

SERVICE BETWEEN ISLANDS IS CONSIDERABLY . * ' . HAMPERED' WIND, RAIN AND THUNDFP

-By Telegrn pfi-

-Cqoyrignt)

Wellington, Wednesday. A storm that moved on to New Zealand yesterday seemed to piqk -on Wellington as its chief target, supplying the city in turn with wind of gale force, very heavy rain and a thundr erstorm of exceptional se verity. . Lightning played havoc with electrical communications and seriously inr terrupte'd the service between the two - islands. During yesterday afternoon, the skies rapidly became overca'st, and there ' were occasional flurries 'ofrain, with a stormy northerly blow--ing. This increased to gale force and . heavy showers commenced to fall in the city at 7.30 p.m. and continued aii intervals throughout the night.; :' ; The thunderstorm did not really break until about 5 o'clock this morn: ing, and it continued for two hourjs. Between 5.45 and 6.15 a.rii. ihe lightning was very vivid, and the thunder peals were loud and prolong.ed. _ This was "accompanied by heavy rain, 36 points being recordei at Kelburn Observatory in 15 minutes.The total fall was 77 points. The storm .was less severe at Lower Hutt, where only 29 points were recorded. Two gusts exceedipg- 60 miles an hour Were recorded at Kelburn, one at 9.6 o'clqck last night, and the other at 3.42 'this morning. Considerable damage was done to gardens owing to the wind and rain. The most serious interference was wifch the cables running to the South. Island. Fuses were blown. eut at the. shore ends, temporarily interruptipg the service. Linesmen, howqver,;.were out early, repairing the damage: The West Coast and Masterton, lines. were also interrupted and over thenorthern. . part of the South Island, particularly along the East Coast there was . considerable interruption. s ^ w s