HEAVY RAIN IN THE NORTH.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 8

HEAVY RAIN IN THE NORTH.

GALE f.V WAIROA DISTRICT

RIVER IX HIGH FLOOD

(rRESS ASSOCIATION TKI.KGP.AM.)

WAIROA, May 18,

What is considered by many old residents to be the severest flood known in racing down the river, whilst most of the suburban areas aie under water. Heavy rain set in on Saturday, and by the evening a stiff southerly was blowing, which increased to a iuil gale ft t midnight. These conditions have pertained ever since, and so far there is no bign of the wind a'uting. although the ram has somewhat slackened.

The .harbour works, which are in an unfinished state, have had a severe test, hut no damage whatever has occurred except to a portion of the inshore staging on the western wall, whore 100 loot has been wrecked, owing to a punt loaded with a crane and moored in the stream breaking away and crashing into the staging. Tho contractor, besides losing the punt and crane, has lost a tug and another punt which also broke away. There is no Mgn of the derelicts, and doubtless they have gone to sea. Mr Lcslio H. Reynolds, engineer, and Mr Charles Pulley, contractor, had a rough and anxious time, being constantly out'night and day in the driving gale and rain.

.Several small buildings havo been - washed away. Many slips have occurred on tho roads. So far stock losses aro reported not to be heavy. Mr PowdroJl lost 400 hoggets.

Mr Leslie Reynolds estimates the normal dischargo of salt and fresh water at half a million cubic feet per minute. His observations at noon to-day give the present flood discharge at twelve and three-quarter millions per minute. Tho river is still rising rapidly. Later. News from Mohaka states that tho river has risen to the top of tho piles of the Mohaka bridge. A quantity of debris "has lodged, and fears for tho safety of the bridge aro entertained. Tho approach is now being washed away. It is still raining, and if tho downpour continues the bridge must go.

Five chains of the Mohaka Hill road came down, and slips occurred all over the district yesterday.

Mr E. Glendining and family, of Wai711a Station, had to leave their residence and seek shelter on tho hills.

The AwaTere river, north of the borough, overflowed, and considerable damage was caused to the property of North Clyde residents and merchants. Tlio Wairoa river is still rising. All coram anication with the north is internifted.