FLOODING FROM RESERVOIR

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27861, 9 January 1956, Page 8

FLOODING FROM RESERVOIR

GARDENS AWASH IN WELLINGTON

OVERFLOW PIPE GORGED AFTER RAIN

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 8.

Front gardens were flooded to a depth of more than 12 feet in places, trees were uprooted, and fences, footbridges and fowlhouses washed away in Curtis street, Northland, tonight when the Karori reservoir overflowed after torrential rain.

Tons of water spilled over backyards. The flood carried all before jt. but no water entered the eight homes affected, as they are built on high ground. Water in the overflow culvert, fed by a pipeline from the reservoir underground into the end of a gully in Curtis street, began to rise over its normal level shortly after 5 p.m. By 6 p.m., it was a raging torrent, more than 10 feet deep an I 100 feet wide in places. In only one case did water come anywhere near a house, but it remained below basement level. But seven front gardens and one back garden were ruined. Several footbridges were washed away, and shrubs twisted and torn out by the force of the water.

Mr G. Ross, of 19 Curtis street, appeared to be the greatest loser. His large fowlhouses were flooded, then lifted high out of the water, and Jeft rocking madly in the current against a group of willows. His glasshouse was also wrecked. Many residents had to climb over back fences on high ground and walk through several neighbouring properties to use someone else’s front gate tc reach the street.

Floodwaters kept pouring into the gully till late tonight, but their volume was abating as the reservoir levelled off.