PERIOD OF TERROR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1942, Page 4

PERIOD OF TERROR

TORNADO ’ KAITAIA A CHILD KILLED. HEAVY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. } I (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WHANGAREI, .August 26. A tornado which struck Kaitaia just before 11 o'clock this morning killed Terence White, aged 10 years, injured eight people who wore sent to hospital, and did damage to property estimated at in the vicinity of £60,000. Though roofs were falling in occupied shops, the casualties all occurred at various spots in Commerce Street, being caused by flying pieces of iron, shattered window-panes and portions of veranda posts. The visitation was preceded by thunder and a heavy hailstorm, and was followed by light rain. It was only of two minutes' duration, but for a large number in the heart of the town it was two minutes of concentrated terror. The suburban areas escaped almost unharmed, but on the Awanui Road, portion of which was in the direct path of the tornado, a new house was lifted, turned completely round and dashed to pieces. Coming from a westerly direction the tornado hit the coast at Waipapakauri, where considerable damage was done to property and machinery, and several persons were slightly injured. Hardest hit in Kaitaia is the firm of Archibald Sons, Ltd., whose two shops were extensively damaged. Twothirds of the roof of the mam shop in Commerce Street was blown away. The replacement of stock and buildings is estimated to cost about £7,903. Kaitaia is under military control. Pickets have been on duty since 1 p.m. and will remain on guard throughout the night. A W.W.3.A. official opened the Service Clubroom immediately and it is estimated that within two hours between 400 and 500 hot meals and cups of tea were distributed to E.P.S. workers and members of military demolition squads. Clearing operations are proceeding at great speed. Most of the buildings affected are of wood, which is making temporary repairs much easier. Windows are being boarded up, roofing material collected, the streets swept and stocks stored away from the weather. The damage and casualties in the town occurred within the space of five seconds, but the penetrating' roaring noise continued for two minutes. Some distance south of the town a milking-shed was flattened and, io quote the words of the owners, disappeared into the hills. Sheets of roofing iron whirled from the town are lying among high country in the vicinity of the reservoir, nearly two miles away. TRAINS HELD UP OWING TO HEAVY GALE. IN MANAWATU LAST NIGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Powerful winds which reached a velocity of 84 miles an hour caused trains to be held up in the Manawatu district last night. The streten of line over which it was deemed dangerous for the trains to travel when the wind was at its height was that between Shannon and Tokomaru, and the woist point was at Makerua. Throe north-bound trains were . affected. The New Plymouth railcar which leaves Wellington at 5.13 p.m. was delayed three hours, the Limited express which leaves Wellington at 7.15 p.m. was delayed an hour and a half, and Field’s express, which leaves Wellington at 5.47 p.m., was delayed two hours. These trams were held at Shannon till it was declared to be safe for them to continue. The only southbound train affected was that leaving Palmerston North at 5.12 p.m. The decision not to lot the trains go on till the wind had dropped was not macle because of any accident or near accident caused by the gale. It was merely a safety measure, lhere is a general instruction in the Railways Department, that when the wind reaches a certain strength too distinct engineer is to be informed, and it is for him to decide whether traffic snail proceed or not. The maximum gust of 84 miles an hour was recorded, at Shannon, which did not experience the worst of the wind, but there is .no recording apparatus at Makerua.