FLOODS IN CANTERBURY

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 July 1938, Page 10

FLOODS IN CANTERBURY

WIDE AREA AFFECTED. [pub pbess association.] CHRISTCHURCH, July 3. Serious flooding in many parts of Canterbury has been caused' by a south-westerly storm, which swept the province to-day, as the climax to several days of bad weather. At. Leeston there was heavy rain, which caused flooding in the township. with streams of water running through the main street. Some of the residents left their homes for the night when water entered, and in most of the dwellings the flood waters were' welling to the top of the foundations by 7 o’clock to-night, and the' rain was still continuing.

i On the Main South Road between Rolieston and Geraldine, water was over the roads in scores of places, and many small cars were reported to be temporarily stranded' along the roadside last night, although bigger vehicles including the service cars, got through. Tho road from Christchurch to Banks Peninsula also carried much surface water, and there were reported to be slips near Birdlings I’Mt, although the road was still open. A general warning to take special cure was broadcast for the motorists intending to use the road from Lincoln to Lees-ton, and in the direction of Dwell by the Transport Department. The water courses on the roads in many parts of the province have Ijccn turned' by the rain into swift livers, and reports of motor cars being in difficulties have been received from many quarters.

In the city there was some Hooding caused in the low-lying residential areas on the bunks of the Heathcote River, which is affected also by heavy tides.

Southern districts were yesterday badly affected, and areas around Timaru, Temulia, and Waimate experienced' considerable surface flooding.

STORMS IN TARANAKI. AUCKLAND, July 3. Lightning storms 'in Taranaki this afternoon were responsible for a brcalidbwnu in the 110,000 volt transmission line between Arapuni arid Stratford. There were two slight interruptions in the Auckland' lighting circuit, arid a 20-minutes dislocation cf the tramway system' in the city and suburbs. The broadcasting services were stopped tor live'minutes, once' at 2.17 p.m. for three minutes, and again at 3.36 p.m. for two and a-Jialf minutes. Inquiries made at Jrlamilton showed that lightning, which struck tjie hightension' linds between Arapiihi and Stratford, caused, a surge that placed the circuit out of commission. Jt in•terfered momentarily with the equipment at the Penrose su.b-station, and resulted in the shu.t, ting-down of the direct-current generators at the King’s wharf sub-station, which supplies electric power for the tramway sys--teni and' for the industrial load in the city. '