Wreck and Havoc

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 394, 30 June 1928, Page 1

Wreck and Havoc

WAIHI’S WORST GALE Back of Theatre Blown Away (Frayn Our Own Correspondent) WAIHI, To-day. ONE of the worst gales in the history of Waihi swept through the town last night, leaving a trail of wreck and havoc in its wake.

Houses, chimneys and verandahs were blown down, trees uprooted, and fences in all parts of the town were scattered broadcast. The back of the King’s Theatre, a large building in Haszard Street, was lifted out in one piece and dashed on to the road about 70yds away, leaving the stage exposed to the elements. Several verandahs in front of business premises in Seddon Street were lifted out by the foundations, and the roadway this morning for a length of 100yds was strewn with twisted iron and broken woodwork. The gale appeared to reach its highest velocity between 2.30 and 3.30 a.m. BLEAK WEATHER GENERAL COMMUNICATION CUT OFF (From Our Own Correspondents.) HAMILTON, Friday. Considerable damage was done by' the strong south-westerly gale which raged in Hamilton throughout the day'. On waking up this morning residents found that telephonic and telegraphic communication with Auckland was totally cut off. However, by 2 p.m., repairs had been effected and Hamilton was once more in touch with the outside world. Although no serious damage was reported here to-day, several lines feeding private houses have been lowered and minor damage has been done to signs and goods displayed outside shops. An unusual accident occurred at 3 p.m. this afternoon when a motorlorry left standing at the top of Grantham Street was blown about a chain down the hill by the wind, crashing into the rear of a motor-car in front of the Hamilton Club. Fortunately the force of the impact only dented the other vehicle’s body. Two power poles came down at Eureka and Ngaruawahia, but new posts were installed as soon as possible by the Central Electric Board. The current has been very weak in the town during the day and flickering has been a common complaint. The Waikato River is very little above its normal level, although a certain amount of debris consisting of tree branches and foliage has been seen floating down stream COLD AT TE AWAMUTU Exceptionally stormy weather was experienced in Te Awamutu on Thursday evening and yesterday. Damage is reported in the Hairin'i and Kaipaki districts, the electric wires and poles being damaged through falling trees. Though still raining, the worst of th® storm has passed, but it is still bitterly cold. SNOW AT ROTORUA Very wintry conditions have prevailed for the last 4S hours. Following heavy rain on Thursday night snow fell on the hills and a light fall occurred in the township. Motorists report a very heavy fall on the Kaingaroa Plains, the ground being covered to a depth of over 3in. At To o’clock yesterday morning at Marnaku snow was falling heavily. The evening was very cold and blustery, the wind reaching gale force. HAIL AND RAIN AT TAIHAPE The weather at Taihape yesterday was very boisterous. Hail, rain and snow fell at intervals. The snow did not settle on the low levels, but lay thick on the high hills surrounding the town. The indications are for an improvement. TRAVELLERS HAVE COLD TRIP Cold windy weather was experienced in Opotiki yesterday. Snow fell on the Motu-Opotiki Road, and passengers by the service cars! with the snow falling on the cars, had a very cold ride. IN THE SOUTH ISLAND RAIN TURNS SNOW TO SLUSH Press Association. Light snow fell in Christchurch on Thursday night for the second time this year, and the Port Hills yesterday morning had white-mantled tops. The weather on Thursday was ideal, but there was a sudden change in the evening, when heavy rain set in from the

south-west, followed by a slight fall of snow. There was a rapid fall in the temperature, and although yesterday the weather was fine, the air was decidedly keen. TEMPERATURE OF 29DEG. A sudden change in the weather was experienced at Dunedin early yesterday morning, when snow commenced to fall, and by daybreak the city and suburbs carried a thick mantle of snow. This, however, did not remain long, heavy rain quickly turning the white coating into slush. Light, intermittent falls of snow occurred during the day and the temperature dropped as low as 29deg. In the afternoon there was another change in the weather, heavy rain falling. The -wind, which had been light, increased in force, culminating in a gale in the evening.

CONCRETE WALL CRASHES

DAMAGE OVER £I,OOO TERRIFIC WIND FORCE Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. The back, arch of the centre unit of the Wellington Show Building, in course of erection, was blown down in the gale last night. It was a concrete section about 50ft in length, 22ft high, and 14in thick. It weighed about 20 tons, and was reinforced with steel bars, and stayed in its place with timber, waiting the erection of the roof principals. Tne entire section was snapped at its base, and fell outwards, damaging a quantity of floor timber stacked nearby. The estimated damage will run into four figures. The wind in the vicinity was stated to nave been so great that pieces of timber were caught up and whirled into the air.