£5OOO LOSS ESTIMATED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 22 February 1935, Page 7

£SOOO LOSS ESTIMATED

NEW PLYMOUTH STOCKS BIG STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. STREAM SAVEEPS PREMISES. By Telegraph —Special to “Star.” NEW PLYMOUTH, To-day. Retailers this morning estimated their stock losses at £SOOO, but it is impossible to calculate the structural damage. AVheu the Huatoki River was at full flood at high tide just after mid-day, a thick muddy stream bearing debris was sweeping through ton premises, including four drapers and clothiers, one hotel, a bank basement, two tobacconists, one chemist, a fancy goods store and a bakery. The stock of Devine and Co., wino and spirit merchants, was. completely under water, and from Hooker’s bond store casks of beer were washed away seawards. It is expected to find them on the beach. Tho river flooded into the main street, where traffic was unable to pass. Business in many shops was disorganised, though one enterprising firm immediately started a flood sale, selling goods over water instead of the counter.

Many shop assistants had to dispense with their shoes and stockings this morning, while youthful figures in bathing costumes swam in the deeper parts of the street.

The flood is considered to he tho worst in the history of New Plymouth.

DOWNPOUR AT ELTHAM STREAMS IN HIGH FLOOD. The flooded Mangawarawara River which flow’s through Eltham bore striking evidence of the intensity of the downpour. The children’s play area situated on the left hank opposite the town hall, in Stanners Street, was inundated by the flood waters and lawns and garden plots -were well covered. The flood was passing over the footbridge and this morning was still rising. The AATiingongoro River, at the rear of Taumata Park, is a raging torrent, and is at the highest level yet recordel. The intake for the Eltham w’ater supply was no't damaged, but steps are being taken to have it cleared of any drift matter.

Slips have blocked the roadway on the Mangamingi Ridge, and further afield at Moeroa and Matemateonga numerous heavy falls of earth from the hillsides have made access impossible. Acres of water cover the low-lying areas, but so far no details are available of any stock losses. It is anticipated that it will be several days before the roads will be sufficiently cleared for traffic. One farmer in the district reports that practically all of his fences have been swept away or broken down by slips from the hillsides.

In the town of Eltham there has been little actual damage. Minor leakages have occurred in shops and offices, •while blocked street culverts have caused miniature lakes in many places. Sheets of water cover low-lying areas.

Train Service Dislocated Express Passengers Motored Round Coastal Road

SOUTH LINE CLEAR Intending passengers for the south bound train were brought to Hawera from New Plymouth by buses which came through on the coast road, the same buses also being requisitioned to take to New Plymouth those who had arrived from the south by the morning’s train and were unable to proceed further. The south line is clear, and just over three hours late, the southern mail left Hawera this afternoon. Extra carriages were added to the usual goods train which left Hawera for Stratford at 7.45 this morning and a train in place of the customary express brought passengers from Stratford and intermediate stations to Hawera. The express from Auckland, on being notified of the state of the line, branched at Taumarunui and proceeded via Marton. All arrangements for Sunday excursion trains have been cancelled.

RAIN AT MANAWATU

HEAVY FALL BREAKS DROUGHT NO FLOOD! NcTeXPERIENCED (By TWernph—Pruss Association.) PALMERSTON, N. To-day. With a rainfall of 3.8 inches since 10 o’clock on Wednesday night and the downpour still continuing to-day with little indication of an early cessation, the drought is definitely broken. So parched is the countryside that the heavy rain has not caused any flooding. The Manawatu river has risen only four feet. HEAVY FALITaT OTAKI RIVER OVERFLOWS BANKS. OTAKI, To-day. Nearly three inches of rain have fallen in the past forty-eight hours. The rain was badly needed. The river overflowed its banks at Waitohu and carried away fences. It is still raining heavily. j