VAGARIES OF THE WIND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3398, 13 December 1911, Page 5

VAGARIES OF THE WIND.

ENGINE SHED DAMAGED AT OTOKO. The effects of the high wind which prevailed yesterday were experienced to the full at Otoko. A strong nor’wester increased in violence as the morning wore on, and roared down the gorge in a gale which drove blinding clouds of dust and even large pebbles before it. So great was the force of th wind l that it was almost- impossible to walk against it, and the man employed on the viaduct had to discontinue work for a time. About 2 o’clock an exceptionally angry gust lifted the roof completely off the shed, which .contained the engine which drives the aerial tramway. A sheet of corrugated iron from the roof was hurled some chains into the air and went clean through a tent. Fortunately no one was inside the canvas structure at the time, otherwise a fatality might have had to be recorded. Fears" were entertained for a time that the tents and iron buildings would, succumb to the fury of the gale, but though straining ominously at their cables, they successfully weathered the storm, and towards evening the wind died down to normal pace, much to the relief of the inhabitants of the township, who had had a most trying time from the dust fiend.