GALE IN AUCKLAND.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 June 1918, Page 5

GALE IN AUCKLAND.

A gale of -almost cyclonic proportions broke over Auckland shortly after midnight on Thursday. "About 1 a.m: the gale bad reached a remark-, able velocity, and its loud thunderous report was like a huge battering ram on houses. People jumped from their beds in alarm, for the searching wind made even the best built of houses creak and quiver under its impact. For an hour the storm persisted in this fashion, and then came a lull, In which gusts of wind brought rain that was lashed along sheet-like and parallel to. mother earth. Then the fu*y of the storm was renewed, and its tenacity seemed but a vengeance for its temporary cesation. From 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. great belches of wind, accompanied by , screeching and moans that struck fear into hearts, seemed to break into life, and householders were held in suspense, thinking the roofs of premises would oe wrenched off at any minute.

Considerable damage was done in the city, tbuildings being demolished and plate-glass windows blown in. In the harbour several launches and other boats were driven ashore and damaged, while the Harbour Board's 80-ton crane broke adrift and dashed into the cable steamer's wharf, utterly demolishing it. Reports have come in from various parts, showing that the dstruction to property was widespread. Chimneys have been razed and sheds and fences levelled.

The greatest damage in this respect was the unroofing of the new brick stable of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd.. adjoining the -butcher's shop, which about 1 a.m. was blown bodily from its structure, the beams and corrugated iron roofing being caught in the telegraph wires, which were cut, the debris being deposited in the middle of the horse road.