DAMAGE AND DISLOCATION IN MANY AREAS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 7, 3 October 1941, Page 8

DAMAGE AND DISLOCATION IN MANY AREAS

Limited Diverted Through Wairarapa A northerly storm accompanied by heavy rain caused extensive slips and flooding in Wellington and the Hutt Valley yesterday. Properties in the low-lying areas of Karori suffered badly, and there was a good deal of flooding at Makara. The South Karori Road was washed away. ... The Kaiwarra stream flooded heavily and the bursting of a weir caused thousands of empty oil-drums stored nearby to be carried away, many finding their way into the harbour. The flood waters swept through W. Cable’s foundry and other properties at Kaiwarra were flooded to a less degree. Erosion of the Ngaio Gorge Road has made it safe for one-way traffic only. Slips and washouts between Plimmerton and Paekakariki blocked the railway line and the Limited express for Auckland had to travel via the Wairarapa line. i 1 There was extensive surface flooding in many parts of Wellington, including Island Bay and Lyall Bay, and slips caused temporary suspension of tram services in Brooklyn, Wadestown, Seatoun, Karori and Northland.

The Hutt River rose about 7 feet, passing its peak at about 2 p.m., with the rising tide. It did not attain the height which it reached recently, and was expected to subside steadily, though last night the flood-gates were still closed, causing water to back up in tributary streams. Confirming the peculiarity of the conditions in making themselves most manifest in Wellington was the fact that no heavy rain was reported in the Hutt watershed.