NEARLY FOOT OF RAIN.

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

NEARLY FOOT OF RAIN.

STREETS ROARING CATARACTS. RIVER BREAKS BANK AT WHANG AREI. (Per Press Association). WHANGAREI, February 3. The Northland, which has suffered severely from floods in recent months, underwent another trying ordeal during the week-end. Floods occurred in all parts of the territory, but through the interruption of telegraphic and telephonic communication, accuiate information is not available of the floods. Rain which fell steadily all Saturday morning increased during the afternoon, and all streams were swollen to bank level. The ram again increased in volume as the evening approached, and this, added to a high tide, caused the river to break its bank's. The main streets became roaring cataracts, and in the lower portions of the business area shops and offices were invaded, much damage being done. The Whangarei Dairy Company’s factory, yjihich is situated on the bank of the Waiorahia stream, was inundated, the water being four to five feet deep in the boiler room. borne lorries were removed to 'safety, but two had- to be left, and were entirely covered by water for some ho ms. The Victoria bridge, over the iiatea River, was in danger of being carried away by the accumulation of debris against the piles. A new bridge under construction alongside was also endan-o-ered, but both eventually were saved. “ One picture theatre was unable to open, as water was flowing over the floor. In another water rose during the performance, and patrons had to wade or be carried to a. vehicle in the street.

The rain, which, increased in volume till the early hours of Sunday morning, was followed* by a fierce gale, which wrought havoc in gardens, shrubberies and, orchards. A big slip at Mania Bay has cut off communication down the harbour. Telegraph and telephone wires are broken. The floor o the power-house at Puma Falls, from where Whangarei obtains electricity, was 12 feet below the level of the river, hut remained dry. The rainfall at Whangarei for the 24 hours ending 9 o’clock this morning was 11.41 inches. For the 33 days of this year the Whangarei rainfall has totalled 21.76 inches. The week-enc downpour was the heaviest registered for 20 years..

COTTAGES CARRIED AWAY. TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES. WHANGAREI, Feb. 3. As a result of the dislocation of the means of communication, it was dimcult to obtain accurate information about the flood damage in Northland, but it is clear that the flooding m many parts is the worst in memoiy. The railways are badly damaged, ancl services are at a standstill to-day. Bridges have been washed away in several places, and large wash-outs m some places, affecting many chains o line, have occurred. Sixty passengers from the express were marooned between Otiria and Kaikohe on Saturday night, which was spent in the carriages. Last night they were billeted by private people. A bridge carried away at Whakapara, 15 miles north of Whangarei, and will stop rail traffic northwards for several days. I rallie to Auckland is uninterrupted though one train was held up temporarily neai Tahekeroa.

Campers on the East Coast had terrifying experiences, their tents being blown away and slips preventing their return to their homes. A launch had to be employed to bring in teachers and others who were holidaying down Whangarei Harbour, where the wind was so fierce at one spot that seaside cottages were carried away. V cry serious damage has been done to roads and highways on which in many places extensive slips have taken place, while numerous bridges have been destroyed. Very heavy expenditure is anticipated in restoring the storm damage. At Waitangi the water rose between seven and eight feet in twenty minutes. Eight men who were sleeping on the floor of the Tung Oil Company’s cookhouse hurriedly took refuge on the roof, but when the structure began to move clambered into a tree overhanging the cookhouse which was later carried away by the flood.