FLOODS NEAR NELSON.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 9 July 1929, Page 17

FLOODS NEAR NELSON.

RAILWAY BRIDGE DAMAGED. (FBESS ASSOCIATION TXLEGSAM.) NELSON, July 8. On Saturday evening and yesterday Motueka and the surrounding districts of Riwaka and lower Moutere experienced one of the largest floods for many years. Saturday night was a night long tobe remembered. The peace of mind of many was upset by a severe earthquake felt shortly after six o'clock. During the evening a strong wind, freshening to a gale, sprang up, bringing incessant ram, and at 9.30, owing to the quantity of water about, it was thought advisable to close the local power house. At daylight on Sunday morning most of the northern and western sections of the borough were badly flooded and several families in the Waikarewa district and in the low-lying areas were forced to vacate their homes until the flood receded. About 100 telephone subscribers lost communication with the office. Rain caused a large slip in the Takaka hills at the two-mile peg from Riwaka. The Moutere and Riwaka districts also suffered considerably. A pier in the railway bridge at Waiiti was scoured out and the bridge given a slight cant. Passengers for Glenhope this morning transferred to a train on the other side of tie bridge. It is hoped to effect temporary repairs by this evening. A slip on the south end of the Kohatu tunnel was cleared in time for the train to oass. The railway line is under water for a long distance, but it is mostly surface water and no further serious damage is reported. Another slip came down on the Glen-hope-Murchison road, but was cleared in time to allow the service cars to pass this afternoon.