A HEAVY DOWNPOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 803, 19 January 1903, Page 2

A HEAVY DOWNPOUR.

QUEEN STREET FLOODED AND MUCH DAMAGE DONE.

(Per Press Association)^ AUCKLAND, last night. Heavy rain which fell from 5.30 C<j (5.30 tliis morning produced quite a Hood, exceeding anything known in this city during recent years.

At the Museum the rainfall was registered at 1.84 ‘inches for 24 hours this morning, but as very little rain fell yesterday, nearly the whole of this must have fallen during the short space this morning. The suddenness of the downpour and its intensity was equalled by the rapidity with which the weather cleared. The street drains were quite unequal to the task of carrying off the water, and pressure higher up the street caused an outflow of water from the drains on the lower levels.

The iron coverings of two large manholes were forced off, and a jet of water was sent up from each to a height of two feet six inches. The water, which spread over the footpaths as high up as Wymdham street, poured through the gratings and filled the cellars ol half the establishments in Lower Queen street, spoiling several thousand pounds worth of goods. At about (5.30 tlie rain ceased and 20 minutes later the Queen street lootpaths were passable again.