DROUGHT IN NELSON BROKEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 151, 12 April 1950, Page 6

DROUGHT IN NELSON BROKEN

HEAVY RAIN CAUSES FLOODING AND SLIPS (P.A.) ' NELSON, April 11. The drought in Nelson Province, which has lasted three months, ended with a vengeance last night and today, when heavy rain, totalling up to five inches in places, caused flooding of rivers in most parts of the district. The main roads were blocked in several places in the Golden Bay and Nelson areas by slips and flooding. The shortage of water previously had resulted in electricity restrictions in the Marlborough and Nelson districts served by the Cobh River station, hut all restrictions were lifted to-day. Late this afternoon there was too much water in the Cobh Valley, and the flood ’carried heavy weed, which blocked the screen to the tun riel intake. As a result the whole a."ea had a two-hour blackout before .tne normal service.was restored. The power failure arrived at. the end of the second act of the Wellington Repertory Theatre’s matinee performance of the play “Born Yesterday.’ After a delay of 20 minutes the audience was asked if it would like the third act by candle-light. The audience agreed and the play continued.