REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 6

REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY

LAKE ELLESMERE FORCES OUTLET

The storm continued unabated at Timaru yesterday, and heavy rain fell throughout the day. There is a good deal of surface water in those parts of the town where the ground is level, but in no parts of the district has any flooding been reported. Rain fell all over South Canterbury during the day and residents familiar with the district predict that the position will become worse yet. It is expected that a large quantity of water will come down from the back country, and as rain was still falling heavily last evening there is a possibility of flooding in some parts.-

The Automobile Association (South Canterbury) last evening reported all main roads in the district to be clear.

The Wairewa County Engineer (Mr A. C. Renner) said last night that a great deal of danger had been removed -when Lake Ellesmere forced an outlet for itself, a thing that had been known to happen before, but many years ago. At the height of the storm on Saturday night the lake' forced an outlet about five chains wide into the ocean, and some hours later was down as low as it could' be. This had relieved the position considerably in the nearby districts. The slip on the road (three miles this side of Little River) had got bigger in the' night, and had become too sticky for the/ bulldozer, so that a loader was being used to scoop it away. In Akaroa at 9 o’clock last evening •it had been raining heavily for two hours, and the risk to roads was regarded as really serious. From all parts of Banks Peninsula reports have been received of slips and damage to. roads. Damage was also done, to telephone lines. In one small stretch of road at Okain’s Bay, , between the store and the wharf, there were seven slips yesterday morning., - This morning a passenger launch will leave Lyttelton for the bays, taking as passengers those residents of the bays who have been unable to reach their homes by road. Rangiora There was a heavy fall of snow in Rangiora early yesterday morning, but rain set in again about 7 o’clock and the snow soon disappeared. Because of the boisterous weather, the Rangiora District School was closed for the day. Since last Wednesday 7.75 inches of rain had fallen at Loburn up to 9 a.m. yesterday, and for the same period 7.71 inches were registered at Oxford. At Ashley Gorge the fall has been heavier. There was no marked rise in the level of the Ashley river up to 1 p.m.. said the Public Works engineer at Rangiora (Mr R. Mclntyre), Repairs were being made where the river had breached the bank near the Rangiora traffic bridge, Ashburton After snow on Saturday, the Ashburton County generally experienced very wild conditions with high wind, snow, and heavy rain. Mayfield reported the worst night on record, and Klondyke irrigation officials reported the heaviest rain for their five years’ residence. No serious flooding is feared and few stock losses are reported. Rainfall at Ashburton was 1.48 inches in 24 houils up to 9 a.m. yesterday, and there were a further 92 points by 4.30 p.m. From Geraldine it was reported that 5.08 inches had fallen altogether in the week.' The fall for 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 1.23 inches, and there were 94 more points by 850 p.m. Creeks were high but no damage had been reported. The express from the south last night was delayed about an hour by a Slip between Hafnpden and Hillgrove, south of Oamafu. The train arrived at the Christchurch station at 7.43 pm., an hour and eight minutes late. V MICROSCOPES. C<?mpjeto with slides and <?«se. Each Miproscope is fitted with three lenses qf different magnification, making them very useful for numerous studies such as Biology, Hygiene, etc. Price 47/6. Owing to restrictions, there will be no further stocks. MASON, STRUTHERS and CO., LTD. -8