HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1932, Page 7

HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

FURTHER HEAVY RAIN. (I ei Press Association;. HASTINGS, May 2. Danger of further . flooding of Northern and Central Hawke’s Bay is feared. Heavy rain last night was followed this morning by a light drizzle, which at 10.45 a.m., turned into a steady, fairly heavy rain. The sky s extremely threatening. The weather reports are unfavour nb’e. and the position is such as to cause considerable anxiety. The fears of the settlers will not be allayed till there is n distinct definite change in th." weather. The cessation of rain for a few hou’s yesterday brought much, relief, and allowed stock to be removed and the waters to, subside. All three rivers and tributary streams this morning had dropped a. good deal. Access from Hastings and Napier northwards to Gisborne is still interrupted. An alternative route is open, but liable to probable further slips. The alternatv? road to Wairoa is open, but it is uncertain whether the road can be kept clear. The present prospects of a change in the weather are not reassuring. NAPIER, May 2. Conditions in th” district affected by th e flooding of the Ngaruroro and Tutakuri Rivers moderated to-day. Compared with Saturday, the levels of both river* dropped considerably. The rain ha s eased off, though the fall is still steady. There : s little sign i f the weath r breaking. Rain and flood waters have been responsible for heavy damage to highways. Two bridges have been lost, while road surfaces have been affected by the action of the water. Road communication between Napier and Wairoa, and Napier and Taupo is still cut off. though it is hoped to have subsidiary roads open on both routes to-night. Farmers n many parts of the district suffered heavily through loss of fences. No estimate of the loss of stock in the outlying di.--ricis is ve-t available.