GALE AT AUCKLAND. A Large Building Blown Down in Freeman's Bay. June 30

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 57, 5 July 1884, Page 6

GALE AT AUCKLAND. A Large Building Blown Down in Freeman's Bay. June 30

During yesterday strong westerly winds, with frequent squalls of a very violent character prevailed, and did considerable damage to property in Freeman's Bay. About 11 o'clock in the morning a larce wooden two-story building, which Mr IIor:-ley had in course of erection for Mr B.ichard McCabe, ironmonger, in Pattesonstreet, began to sway with the action of eudden squalls. The building -was so far completed that it had been weatherboarded, the chimney was erected, and the roof (corrugated iron) was on, but the front of the place being open, gave the wind great power over the structure. One squall more violent than any preceding one struck the house soon after the hour given, and the whole concern collapsed, the upstairs portion falling to the westward, while the lower half tumbled in the opposite direction, and against another new two-story shop and residence, occupied by Mr McCabe,Mr Henderson, and their families. The concussion caused this building to go considerably out of the perpendicular, the glass windows were smashed to atoms, the staircase shifted about two inohes, the kitchen chimney cracked, and the paper on the rooms in the ground floor was torn in several places, while lamps, globes, etc., to the value of about £50, were also broken. The inhabitants were greatly startled by the shock, and no doubt had a narrow escape fiom injuiy by the falling timber and bricks. The first made a rush to the front door, but it would not open, and it was with some difficulty that they succeeded in leaving the house by the back door. The total damage done to tho building alone is estimated at about £50, and the collapse of the new shop will mean a further loss of £150 or £200, which making a total of £300, which, we understand, Mr Horsley has consented to make good.