NORTH ISLAND STORM

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 6

NORTH ISLAND STORM

SHIPPING BUFFETED AERODROMES FLOODED; RAILWAYS BLOCKED (New Zealand Press Association./ WELLINGTON, August 9. The cyclonic storm responsible for heavy rain and gales in the North Island in the last few days to-day moved off in th? direction of Chatham Islands. The Weather Office said tonight that only occasional showers were expected over the districts between the Kaikoura coast and the East Cape to-morrow. By Thursday the weather in these areas was likely to be mainly fair. Wellington had a gust of 52 miles an hour at 11 a.m. to-day. The Matangi berthed at Wellington at 10 a.m. to-day after being delayed four and a half hours by gales and heavy seas which tossed her about almost from the time she left Nelson last evening. “It was blowing a gait and the seas were rough from the time we cleared French Pass and until we reached the lee of Wellington headlands,” said the master (Captain S. P. Martin). “Radar was used when it got a bit thick.” Most ships in the Tasman Sei battled against gales and boistero3» seas, according to reports received at the Kelburn Weather Office. Shins delayed included the freighter Korowal from Melbourne and the freighter Yunnan from Kure, Japan. The Monowai was hove to for a time for the comfort of passengers and did not reach Wellington until this after* noon. "We did not even roll. Apart front your hurricane which swept us when' we entered the straits, the voyage was one of the calmest I remember.” said 1 Captain G. B. Morgan, the master. In spite of high wind, the seas had been moderate, he added. Air Services Affected The Palmerston North and Napier aerodromes were under water to-day and could not be used. North Aucfo land air services had to be cancelled, to-day because of bad weather. In the Wairarapa district the town of Martinborough, with a population'' of about 1000, is surrounded by flood water. Three members of the Red Cross men’s detachment, Wellington centre, left by car to-day to help settlers in the Wairarapa. They are equipped with ropes, shovels, spades, blankets, and other gear, and will help to evacuate farmers and move sheep and cattle from flooded areas. Other members of the detachment are standing by in Wellington. The Tukituki river, in Hawke’s Bay, is higher than it has been since 1920. Hastings had 4.08 inches of rain in 72 hours, and Maraetotara 15.66 inches. Lambing losses are expected to be heavy in Hawke’s Bay and in the Maraetotara district lambs are being born dead. The Pakowhai orchard and market garden district was flooded. In some places houses are surrounded by between 18 inches and two feet of water but Mr H. Baker and his family are the only persons to have left their homes.

Slips on Railway The railway line between Napier and Gisborne was blocked by two slips to-day, but one of them may be cleared by to-night. A large slip at Raupunga blocks both the main highway and the railway, and may not be cleared for several days. It is thought that a double slip at Tutira will be cleared during the night. Railway gangs with a bulldozer are keeping the line open at the Paritu loop, where rubble from a slip is still coming down. The Taranaki line is still blocked by a big' washout near Kai Iwi.