THAW IN SOUTHLAND BRINGS FLOOD THREAT

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 10

THAW IN SOUTHLAND BRINGS FLOOD THREAT

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, August 4. Creeks and streams were running high as a thaw set in throughout Southland today. Formerly sheets of ice, the creeks have become raging torrents covering roads in. several places.

Fifteen degrees was today’s lowest frost reading for the province. This was at Waikaia where for days sub-zero temperatures have gripped the district causing widespread damage. The chief engineer for the Southland Catchment Board (Mr R. D. Young) said today that only warm rain could cause serious flooding. It is a warm rain that Garston residents fear and rain has been predicted for that area. The Mataura river, below normal during the “big freeze,’ had risen 18 inches by this afternoon. Snow was. rapidly melting under warm temperatures. Frost Damage The thaw at Waikaia is gradually revealing the damage caused by the intense cold. Householders were able to use their taps for the first time in several days but* the flowing water spurted out of breaks caused by the frost

and temporary repairs had to be carried out in many homes before the taps could be used. Waikaia had another sub-zero frost yesterday. One reading of 39 degrees was taken. Solid blocks of beer and cordials }yere removed from the hotel after the bottles burst. Schools in the Riversdale, Bal-: four, arid Waikaia areas will probably reopen again tomorrow after being closed for several days. Invercargill, with 20.5 degrees, yesterday, had its hardest frost since July, 1955.