THE FORCES OF NATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1917, Page 6

THE FORCES OF NATURE.

TORNADO AT HUNTLEY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, .Juno 18. A whirlwind passed over Huntley oil Sunday morning. A four-roomed house, occupied by J. Dooley, farmer, was lifted off the blocks and carried into an adjoining paddock. . Miss Patterson, Dooley's niece, was in the building. Her face was severely cut, and she was removed to Hamilton Hospital. Mr. and Mrs Dooley. who were in a lean-to with a mud floor, which was left standing, were onlv slightly injured. In the cemetery the whirlwind demolished several tombstones. A second house was unroofed, and many other h'uildings damaged and large trees blown out of the ground. Hamilton, June lfL A most destructive tornado or whirlwind occurred at Huntly yesterday morning, the like of which has never .been experienced in the district: When first noticed it struck the milking shed of W. G. Raidell, a half-caste, who resides opposite the Kimihia cemetery, on the west side (of the river, about two miles below Huntly. Here is picked up a big waggon, smashing it to matchwood. It then came across the river, picking up water en route and Bending it fiOft high. It next struck the cemetery, smashing fifteen headstones into atoms, and then crossed the road, striking the house of James Dooley. The occupants, Mr. and Mrs. Dooley, a nephew and niece (Miss Mary Patterson), heard the tornado approaching and went outside, but, not anticipating danger, returned. .The tornado, however, shortly afterwards struck tho dwelling with great force, tearing it from the blocks and carrying it between 100 to 200 yards, reducing it to matchwood. The occupants, with the exception of Miss Patterson, managed to escape, but the unfortunate young lady was carried about 30 yards with part of tho fast disappearing building before she was rescued. She appeared to be badly knocked about and was immediately conveyed to the Waikato hospital, where she was found to have been badly bruised on the body, in addition to being nut about the head and face, necessitating in all putting in sixteen stitches. At Dooley's place the whirlwind picked up a spring cart and sulky, carrying them about 200 yards and smashing them to bits. It then made towards the old coal mine at Kimihia, and struck Mrs. Russell's milking shed, picking it up, together with the separator, and considerably damaging them. An eye-witness states that as the tornado was crossing the river sheets of iron and limbs of trees would he seen flying through the air. Tho track of the tornado was about 20 yards wide. The sight of its devastation to those outside its range was very impressive and awe-inspiring.