VIOLENT GALE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1799, 6 October 1888, Page 2

VIOLENT GALE.

TSMUKA.

The nor’-west wind which was blowing on Wednesday afternoon, but which lulled towards evening, increased in violence during the small hours of Thursday morning, and at about five a in. a most furious gale raged. The dust flew in clouds, and the brittle twigs of the willows literally strewed the ground in places. Large boughs were broken from gum trees and wattles, and in many places pine trees of considerable size have been blown down. Paling fences and small outbuildings have suffered more or less, but the actual damage done in Tomka does not appear to be very severe. In the Victoria Park, in addition to certain damage to the more exposed trees, we have to record the overthrow of the pavilion, which only on Wednesday last had been placed in its new site. The wind, as previously stated, lulled on Wednesday evening, and the contractors for the removal of the building, Messrs Clinch and Lloyd, were congratulating themselves upon getting it into its new position safely. On Thursday morning, however, the structure was found to have been blown clean over, and naturally considerably damaged, No time was lost in unavailing regrets, and as soon as the weather moderated every exertion was made to restore the building to its proper position and repair damages. In Arowhenua a singular accident occurred. The window of a small cottage occupied by Mr John Hamilton was blown inwards from its frame, and in its passage across the room swept the table of sundry articles of crockery and alighted upon a couch upon which two children were sleeping. Fortunately neither were injured, and, strange to say, the window was unbroken, Mr A. Frew’s residence was partially unroofed, but the damage is such as admits of ready repair. Ou the whole Temuka has suffered less severely than other places. While the gale lasted the sea was terribly rough, and residents near the coast were treated to a sight at once sublime and magnificent. For miles the sea was a mass of foam, and at high tide the scene on the Milford beach was truly awful. The nor’-wester has had the effect of bringing down the Orari and the Raugitata, and both were barely fordable yesterday afternoon. GERALDINE. A heavy storm of wind visited the Geraldine district on Wednesday night last. Mr Hale, of Gapes’ Valley, had the roof of his house blown clean off, and carried a distance of one or two chains, The house is kuilfc of cob, which affords very little hold to a roof. Mr Hale’s little boy had his leg broken on Tuesday eveniug lait, and the injure! limb was doing well under the care of Dr Fish. Unfortunately in moving the little fellow after the roof had blown off the leg was again broken, and Dr Fish had to re-set it tHe following morning. Two men also had a narrow escape from bemg crushed by a large blue gum tree, which was blown down, and fell very close to the hut in which they were sleeping. TIM ARE. In Timaru the gale appears to have been very violent. Besides doing a good deal of damage in tearing up trees by the roots, stripping off corrugated iron roofs, and blowing over a few chimneys, it stripped off the roof of the Baptist Church, and nearly blew over Bruce’s new oatmeal mill. This was the most extraordinary incident of all. From the accounts to hand we gather that the wall framing of the building was not sufficiently braced, and in consequence the four upper, storeys were carried forward four feet, with the result that the upper part is overhanging the under part at present. Early in the morning Messrs Halkett-Dawson and E. T. Rhodes, the proprietors of the mill, received notice of the accident, and they roused Mr Marchant, 0.E., so as to get scientific advice as to what should be done. A coil of rope was obtained from Messrs Priest and Holdgate, and with this they tied down the levanting building.* Subsequently steel wire ropes and chains were obtained, and the building brought back towards its original position six or seven inches. It is hoped that it will eventually be brought back to its proper position, and that the damage to the mill will not be so serious. All work connected with it was very dangerous, as the huge mass with its timbers was creaking with every motion, and threatening to collapse. Only for having been taken in time it would have fallen across the railway line.

At Albury a railway carriage wa* thrown off the line, and one of the chimneys of the hotel there blown down. In Fairlie Creek two stables and a blacksmith’s shop were blown to pieces/ besides fences, outhouses, and chimneys being greatly damaged,

AUCTIONEER’S REPORT. SALE AT SPRINGFIELD. Mr K. F. Gray reports that he sold at Springfield, on behalf of the trustees of the late John Paterson, the whole of the live and dead stock on the Springfield and Winchester farms. In spite of counter sales at Geraldine and Washdyke, both on Wednesday and Thursday, there was an exceptionally large attendance, and every line was eagerly competed for. He considers the wonderful success of the sale is due to restored confidence, and a general feeling that we are on the eve of returning prosperity. He fully expects that present prices will be maintained. The following is a list of the principal lines disposed of Cattle—7B milch cows, at prices ranging from £2 7s 6d to £6 ; 30 head 2 and 3-year-old store cattle, at £4 ss; 37 yearlings, from 19s to £1 6a. Horses—Hacks: Broken, from £8 to £10; unbroken, from £7 to £lO. Draughts, 27 at from £l6 10s to £34; 4 (unbroken) at £lO each. Sheep—27l freezers, at 16s 10s; 454 half bred ewes and lambs, 13s lid; 308 do do do, 14s 9d; 183 stud Leicester ewes, 40s; 35 stud ewe hoggets, 18s; 12 rams, from I? guineas to 5 guideas. Pigs—lo breeding sows, from £3 to £4 10s; 52 four months old, at 15s each; bacouers, from £1 9s to £2.

Three hundred bushels of ryegrass was sold in lots, and fetched from 2s 3d to 3s per bushel. The implements, dairy utensils, etc., were also disposed of at satisfactory figures.