MAORI CHURCH DESTROYED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 96, 4 February 1936, Page 3

MAORI CHURCH DESTROYED.

HISTORIC OHINEMUTU BUILDING OVER SIX INCHES OF RAIN. ROTORUA, February 3. The severest storm known in the memory of older residents raged throughout Saturday night and early yesterday, causing severe havoc § in various parts of the district, including the demolition of the original Maori G’hurch at Ohinemutu. This was one of the few remaining relics of former missionary days. For the 24 hours preceding 9 a.m. yesterday more than six inches of rain were registered. Throughout the night houses rocked on their foundations, and the power supply was cut off by damage done to the lines by falling trees. The old Maori Church was demolished at the height of the gale about 4 a.m., when the walls caved in with a resounding crash. Yesterday morning uprooted trees and broken power lines were seen everywhere. Most of the streams flowing into the lake broke their banks, inundating private property. At Tarewa, near Ohinemutu village, the water swirled through a house from which the furniture had been hastily removed. The Ngongotaha stream rose about 15 feet, partly submerging several small outhouses and although the water did not reach the floor level of a house which was on a high foundation, the occupants were isolated throughout the day. The Tauranga and Whakatane routes to Rotorua 1 were temporarily blocked by fallen trees and 1 slips, but these were cleared sufficiently by night to allow traffic to proceed. Many settlers in more exposed positions had a terrifying night. At To Ngae a milking shed was unroofed, and the iailuie of the power supply made it necessary to revert to milking by hand. The weather cleared shortly after midday, and to-day there were indications of a definite improvement.