FLOODS IN SOUTHLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1937, Page 7

FLOODS IN SOUTHLAND

VARIOUS AREAS INUNDATED . I ■■ ■ ' HORSE-RIDER DROWNED [PEE PBESB ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, February 25. The most serious flood since the Mathura river broke its banks in 1913 oecuinred at Wyndham to-day. When residents awoke 'this morning the Recreation Ground and the bowling green at the north end of the town were ’inundated to a, depth of two and a half feet in places. By 10 o’clock several of the residents in that part of the town had to leave their homes and others who were in 1 the path of the flood waters began to move their belongings to safety.. The flood waters moved down Ferry ; Street, and crossing Main Street, flowed into Alma. Street. The Mataura and Mimihau rivers continued to rise, and the water was forced down Redan Street and into the main thoroughfare. By 3 o’clock the Post Office was surrounded; by two feet six inches of water, and both Main Street and Redan Street resembled canals. Business people, alarmed by the invading waters, began moving their goods to places ot safety. As it was sale day, there was a crowd of farmers in town, but. many hurried away as earjy as possible in case they would be unable to do so latoi*# The road to Glenham was impassable, and Ferry Road was also flooded Mr S. Clarke’s farm was inundated’ and soon had the appearance of a lake. Several other farms, close to the Mataura river were also flooded, and stooks of oats were seen floating away on the turbulent flood waters. At 4 o’clock this afternoon the flood reached its peak without the water entering the business premises, The Makarewa riyer also rose to a very high level and while crossing a backwater on. horseback, John Culff, aged 35, employed on a farm at . Tussock Creek, was unseated, and js believed to have been drowned. A search made for the body was unsuccessful, fie was seen by a. boy being apparently washed off his The boy •- went for assistance, and when others

arrived the man could not be seen, and the horse was on the opposite side of the. river. The highest flood at Gore since two very serious floods about 20 years ago passed harmlessly as the result or the flood protection scheme carried out after the inundation of the town in 1913. It is estimated that the flood waters reached a height this morning of about 11 feet above normal. Areas in crops almost ready for harvesting were affected, and losses by farmers will be serious. Stock lossesi were not -great, as most farmers had ample time to--move their sheep to safe ground, but serious loss of stock was, suffered by Mr A. F. Dickson, of 1 Freshford, a number of two-tooth ewes being washed away in the flood. The Waika'ia river rose very rapidly and sdttlers had 'little -warning. The bodies of 19 sheep- were recovered, but it”,ls; believed that more were . drowned. , Transport by road was carried out under difficulties in eastern Southland’ to-day, the roads being flooded in a number of places at Pukerau, where the main road was impassable. Residents in the low-lying section of the township had an anxious l time, but the waters receded without entering any. of the residences. To the. south of Gore the main highway was blocked at two places, and traffic had to be diverted. Reports from other parts of the province reveal that extensive flooding has occurred, but no other roads- were blocked. In most cases farmers were able to move their stock to higher ground before the rivers overflowed, but a fair amount of damage has beendone to uncut crops. The InvercargillRiverton highway is .completely: blocked at the iron bridge, where the water had this evening reached the fourfoot mark on the first post. It is believed to be deeper on the Riverton side, butiwas going down to-night, and cars may get through ini the morning. The weather has improved, and it is fine and clear to-night.

TARANAKI DOWNPOUR NEW PLYMOUTH, February 25. Eight inches of rain has fallen in New Plymouth since Monday night, causing the rivers to rise to an abnormal height. Flooding occurred in one part of the town where houses stretch down to the river, and an anxious night was spent by the occupants, but the waters subsided before any real damage was done. Several residents were sufficiently alarm- ' ed to abandon their homes temporarily. The downpour- ceased this morning. , , The main New Plymouth-Auckland road was blocked in several places by the sudden rise of water, and slips came down on Mount Messenger. Several motorists were forced to spend the night in cars while others abandoned their vehicles. LAND WASHED AWAY OTAKI, February 25. Since Tuesday afternoon, nearly three inches of rain has fallen, and several acres of land have been washed away by the Otaki river. The pro- " tectlve work stood the strain, but was not advanced enough to be beneficial. During the year more than 20 acres have been washed away. ' FOG AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, February 26. A thick fog over the harbour, this morning, was responsible for delaying both the Nelson and Lyttelton ferry steamers. The Rangitira from Lyttelton, did not berth till 7.50 a.m., and the Arahura till 7.10. The Arahura’s normal hour is 5.30.

NELSON DAMAGE.

NELSON. February 26

The whole area round Motueka and Riwaka is flooded, after heavy continuous rain. Some of the tobacco crops are under water. The Riwaka River has apparently reached its maxi; mum height, but the Motueka River is still rising.

At Motueka the tobacco crops suffered to some extent, and in one or two, cases hops are down. The whole of Whakarewa is flooded.

and several residents have had to leave their houses.

A number of girls working on a peach orchard on Foster's Island were rescued this morning, being brought out, on drays.