TORRENTIAL RAIN

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21202, 28 June 1934, Page 10

TORRENTIAL RAIN

STQRM ON WEST COAST SLIPS BLOCK RAILWAYS AND ROADS FLOODING IN GREYMOUTH (BPSCUX. 50 THE PEISS.) GREYMOUTH, June 27. Torrential rain, in which almost two inches fell in two hours, was experienced in Greymouth in the early hours of this morning and'considerable damage was done on the West Coast through washouts. The rainfall for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day was 3.90 inches. Slips and minor flooding occurred in many parts of Greymouth itself, storm water cutting feet w;de channels through many streets. Late last night rain began to fall fairly heavily, but between 3.30 and 5.30 this morning the rain was torrential. "So thick was the downpour that it was impossible to see street lights 50 yards away.

Washouts Common Several washouts occurred on the main railway line near Omoto, the worst being at the rear of the Kaiata School, where 50 feet of line was completely carried away. Temporary repairs are being carried out by stacking sleepers on which to place the line, and if is hoped to have this work completed by midnight Permanent repairs tu the damage near Kaiata will mean building a new culvert. No goods trains ran to-night to Christchurch, some of the mails which would have gone by that train being taken by motor to Ilaiata and there placed on the 4.30 p.m. train for Otira. Damage to roads includes the collapse of a 40 feet bridge over Dirty Mary's creek, near Addison's, on the cocstal road six miles from Westport The coastal road will thus probably be closed to traffic for a week unless some means can be found of transporting passengers across the creek. Service cars will have to run to Westport by way of Reef ton and the Buller Gorge. The Otira Gorge road will be blocked for a week, as there is a bad slip at Condy's bend. Several slips occurred on the Omoto road, some of the foundations of what is known as Half bridge having been carried away. Other minor slips occurred all along the load which, however, is passable for traSic . Floods in Greymouth In Greymouth flooding occurred in the lower parts of the town. Water entered Revington's Hotel, and in many places water was over the roads. Water entered at least one shop and several houses. Mines Affected As the rain had washed much material across the railway line at the Tainui street crossing, the Greymouth miners* train was delayed. The Liverpool mine did not work, and 300 men will thus lose their day's pay. Heavy flooding occurred at Cobden. Many of the roads are covered by sheets of water and the main road— Bright street—was scoured out in one portion. The school grounds are under water and the State School was closed for the day owing to the dangerous state of a nearby creek. A fairly large slip came down behind Ward street, but no houses were endangered. The Cobden Domain is under water almost to the tops of the fence posts, and the indications early this evening were for more rain. NORTHWEST GALE SOME f POWER LINES DOWN A nor'-west gale swept in heavy gusts across Mid-Canterbury during the early hours of yesterday morning, and in many districts blew down power lines and poles. No roads are reported to be blocked by fallen trees, though electric current failed in several country districts. * ■ No damage was done in the city, while Akaroa and the Peninsula experienced onjy a light breeze. The long, snow-fed rivers rising in the mountains are running high, and a flood of four feet is expected in the Waimakariri, The wind did considerable damage at Lauriston during the early hours of yesterday morning, beginning shortly after midnight, Electric poles were blown down and several outbuildings were unroofed. Two sheep trucks standing on the railway siding were moved forward, although their brakes had been dropped, and the leading wheels of the front truck were derailed, causing a slight delay in the dispatch of the sheep later in tiie morning. At Fairton five spans of electric wires were brought down by falling trees and current was cut off at Hinds and Cairnbrae. Telephone lines were snapped at Mayfield, Methven, Hinds, and Ashburton. In the Annat-Russell's Flat district about 12 power poles were brought down and electric current was off from the early morning till 5 o'clock last evening.