IN THE PROVINCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 68, 22 March 1933, Page 8

IN THE PROVINCE.

TORRENTIAL RAIN. MANY STREAMS FLOODED. WIDESPREAD VISITATION. Reports received in Auckland this morning show that torrential rain has been experienced in many p"arts of the province. In many cases rivers and streams are in flood, and motor services have been dislocated. Reports have been received as follow:— • Gisborne. —Heavy rain ■ has fallßn along the eastern seaboard at Gisborne, 110 points of rain being registered in five hours last night. Matawai reports 3.44 in during the last 24" hours. Service cars for Auckland are blocked on both the Waioeka and Motu Valley routes owing to flooded streams. Tip main road at Motu is waist deep near the post office. Telegraphic communication north and south was temporarily interrupted Tauranga.—Several days of humid conditions, with mist and rain, terminated shortly after midnight with a heavy downpour, an inch and threequarters of rain being registered. The weather it: now clearer and much cooler. It is expected that the improved weather conditions will enable threa fishing parties waiting to get away to depart for Mayor Island. , Te Kuiti.—A heavy storm broke over the town last night, sweeping the whole King Country. The rain, accompanied by a strong wind, commenced at 4 p.m. and continued throughout the night. This morning all rivers have overflowed their banks, the Mangaokewa, running through the town, being at its highest level this year. Opotiki. —After several days' unsettled weather, a torrential down]X>ur occurred early this morning, the rainfall in the back country being particularly heavy. Both the Atara and Waioeka Rivers are in heavy flood, the level being the highest for some years. Settlers had a busy time in the early hours of tho morning at the height of the storm, hastily removing stock to higher ground. At some points marooned animals can be seen standing in the water. AH low-lying areas in the vicinity of the rivers are flooded, several maize crops being under water. Large quantities of driftwood and fencing material are being washed out to sea. The stopbanks surrounding the borough are at present keeping the water back and it is not considered likely that there will be flooding in the borough, although the rivers are still rising slowly. The rainfall in the borough is already over two inches. Indications at present are that there is a likelihood of further heavy falls ,in the back country.