STORM AND FLOOD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 197, 4 August 1916, Page 6

STORM AND FLOOD

LOWLANDS UNDER WATER. SHYER BANK BROKEN AT |• MEANEE. SETTLERS SPEND ANXIOUS ■' NIGHT. i COSSES IN STOCK AND FENCES REPORTED. t 1' Napier, August 4, 8 a.m. The storm continued at Napier -’. throughout last evening though the '■i .ram was more showery than prek viously. Slips continue from the frills, and the necessity for keeping away from the cliffs is made obvious by the boulders that have come dwwn on all sides. There was, at 7 : -/o’clock this morning, no sign of the , '-iBea 'going down, and its angry roar indicated to residents in the re- € motest parts of the town that there ‘>was a storm raging of unusual fury. The full effect of the seh is visible at the Breakwater, where is is play- : ■■ ing ducks and drakes with every- * thmg moveable. At the railway station, especially in Hie vicinity of the goods-shed and 5’ workshops, there was this morning a > very considerable amount of surface r '\Wafcer, and owing to the bad drainage of the workshops it was-con-.sidered quite possible that they ." would have to close down. POSITION AT MEANEE. 4. RIVER BURSTS ITS BANKS. - Late last evening it was reported ’■ that the bank at Meanee had burst, rendering .the position extremely serious Most of the land between \ the hills at Greenmeadows and the C railway was under water. Having r forced an opening in the bank the 7? flood" found their own level in all mid a great portion of the ~' country between Greenmeadows and Taradale was submerged. Many . Sections hitherto regarded as high .. .and 'dry were under water. Several /houses were entirely surrounded, and lights were kept burning all while many of the residents j/Tyfoned to go to bed. Daybreak; -■tiraa anxiously awaited by hundreds *’ of aettlers, who, when morning came t JOoked 'but upon a sea of surging hiding their land from view, u-wbmy a family spent the night anwnpfaly watching the steady advance / of the waters, watching it rise inch I /Jby inch until tables and chairs had be requisitioned as the floors of ; their. houses became submerged. ; Many of the settlers spent the night ' vSmxmng their stock to higher land. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The, Rivers Board’s overseer re-1 ported as under last evening at t>e i. tunes stated:— - Mi p.m. —Clive: The Tuki Tuki ' river-is not overflowing the - banks, khd Jias several feet to rise yet be- •' it can overflow the banks in any The Ngaruroro is bank to but is not overflowing any3Ee. At Clive it is getting lower the surface water is getting After 3 p.m. the ditches could QEKake the surface water away as OQ'tide was in. A considerable JSSAer of acres of land that were are now quite free from aMKawster. The rough sea. prevailis not by any means imthe condition of the Ngaru- ; j wMMK mouth. I :_The position there is -be-| ; serious. Between 4 p.m. and . the Tutaekuri overflowed on side for about a mile of | Men were put to work to prevent the overflow, but were un- ■ successful. At. 10 p.m. I received i /. Word that a gap had broken in the' hank. This makes the dan-1 more imminent, and also seriously threatens the Taradale district. ' ’.jffhit river has also overflowed the ’J&her hank between Papakura and riSkrndon and flooded all the land bej <ween Farndon and Awatoto. ’tl p.m.—l have received word that the Ngaruroro' has overflowed at i~ KorOkipo, Waima, and the waters T h«yn joined those of the Tutaekun. OTHER REPORTS. At an early hour this morning a «mfirman informed a “Tribune” reporter that a motor car had unsuccessfully attempted to get through . to Hastings, via Fernhill, and if this is correct communication by road j between Hastings and Napier is practically cut off. 9 a.m. Passengers for Napier by the train. which left Hastings at 8.5 this

•- morning witnessed many strange «rigMa- Between Tomoana and .'1 Whakatu the country was flooded in Xr-‘ vwgf direction, and at the Whakatu bridge itself the water was about ;? tit. below the level of the track. The river there had overflowed its banks - <nr both sides. From the train it y could also be observed that Pako- . ■ whai was also suffering very severehr from flood waters, and subsequent inquiries showed that the small yy bridge at Pakowhai was hidden from 'r- view beneath the water. Between! ■y, Farndon and Awatoto there was little to be seen, save the tops of ? > trees and an occasional post. Here ‘ * cattle were seen up to their bodies in water, while dead sheep were S. passed floating in the flood waters. > <&e scene was one of extreme deso- - lation, all the green paddocks being ■ hidden, beneath the rushing, muddy- *? waters. 9130 a.m. Qn. the' Petane road, from the cattle yards'up to half amife past the. five-mile post, . the sea has washed right over the road, deposit- : ■->;i , .inw a considerable amount of driftr wo&d on the lagoon side. 10.30 a.m. At 10.30 a.m. Taradale was practically freb from flood water, and the oply flood therq resulted from the overflowing of the Taipo Creek, where a bridge under construction whs partly washed away, the structure being bodily carried down the - stream. At Meanee things were in a very bad state, two breaks, one - about three chains wide, having occurred in the bank. It was reported that the water was so deep around the Catholic Church that it was just lapping the altar. So far as could be ascertained all the houses at Meanee' were partially submerged, v . iftdnding the notel. The Tannery road was then simply a raging torgent. Greenmeadows were a sea of water though several motor cars attempted to get through to Taradale none was successful. The coach, however, managed to accomplish tne journey. Between Taradale and Fernhill the position was then also very Serious, and some of the stocla were Bnhsted. Several horses are reported to have been lost in addition to sheep. The road in places was entirely submerged. kv . 10.45 a.m. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to ride through from Taradale to Meanee. So far Meanee is' entuelgr isolated, and tremendous loss ? is said ,to have been sustained by tim settlers. Sgyy., 10.50 a.m. The river at Fernie’s Papakura is its banks, and a gang of are engaged in endeavouring

to prevent a break taking place. At Clive Grange the Tuki Tuki is overflowing. Both the mouths of the Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri are in good order. 11 a.m. An unconfirmed report states that the bank of the river at Meanee has not broken, but that the water is flowing over it for about a mile. The rainfall recorded at Napier during the 24 hours ended 9 o’clock this morning was 2.19 inches. The approach to the smaller Petane bridge, over the Esk river, has been washed into the river. The river is still running very high, bui i continues clearly to the ; i There is a considerable amount oi ' water around the district, but it is i now slowly subsiding. At Wairoa the Turiroa cutting has ■ slipped into the river. »There are ■ many slips on the roads in and approaching the Wairoa district. Nc s through traffic will be able to proceed to Wairoa for several days. There have been a number of slips on the Puketitiri road, at Newsted, Rissington and other points. The Napier-Puketitiri coach was blocked vesterday at Newsted. It left for Puketitiri country again this morning, but it is doubtful whether it will get through. 1.30 p.m. Many of the residents of Meanee are living at Taradale until the flood subsides. Water is still pouring through the break in the Meanee bank, near Powdrell’s corner, where the river threatens to form a new course. The river has fallen since early this morning, but as the break in the bank has scoured out there is no perceptible reduction in the volume of water flooding on to the country. The water extends nearly to the Taradale district boundary. Some of the old residents affirm that the break in the Meanee bank is larger than in the 1897 flood. ‘ The whole district from Meanee to Tomoan is practically one sheet of water. When the Ngaruroro broke through it crossed over by the golf links and joined the Tutaekuri near the Redclyffe bridge, and at "" it was reported that there was about six feet of water near the golf links. The Tutaekuri broke through at what is known as Donnelly’s embankment and joined the other flood waters. The whole of the country at Korokipo is flooded and several losses of stock are reported. Mr. ’R. J. Howard reports the loss of a valuable horse. HASTINGS AND VICINITY. A SURVEY OF FLOODS. SHEEP LOST NEAR OKAWA. heavy rain yesterday brought down a large volume of water from the Havelock hills, with the result that the low lying flats were flooded and oh the Napier road several settlers were compelled to leave their homes, the water entering the houses.

A good deal of the flood water at Havelock is said to have been caused by a block drain. * A slip occurred on the Waimarama road, and a motor car belonging to Dalgety and Co. was stuck up there. Several of the roads leading to Cornwall Park were covered with water and a number of residents had to take other routes to get to their homes.

.The plate glass window of an unococupied shop belonging to Mr. G. F. Roach, at the corner of Heretaunga street and Gray’s road, was blown in and smashed to atoms.

Several large pine trees were Uprooted by the force of the gale at Tomoana. All the low-lying flats were under'water, but no damage is reported in that locality. The road to Havelock is now clear. A “Tribune” reporter this morning visited the outlying portions of Hastings, and found that the flood had- done considerably more damage than was at first anticipated. Nearly all the country surrounding Pakowhai is under water, but fortunately precautions had been taken to remove stock to places of safety. The Karamu bridge was several feet under water and the road impassable, the whole of the surrounding country being flooded. The road following the railway line from belqv Tomoana is under water and all me land on the left hand side is a sheet of water, only the tops of the fences being visible. The worst damage has occurred between Omahu and Okawa, where, there has been considerable loss of stock. One settler lost 400 sheep and another 200, and other smaller losses are also reported. Mr. Roswell and family, who reside at Okawa, had a narrow escape. A torrent of water rushed through the house, and the inmates were rescued by the aid of horses and conveyed to a place of safety. This part of th,e district has suffered severely, some miles of fencing being washed away. The country between Waiohiki and Puketapu is all under water. At Matapiro some considerable damage has been caused. Numerous slips have occurred, telephone lines are down and a large culvert has been washed away, but as far as can be ascertained no stock has abeen lost. The Blackhead bridge on the road to Sherenden is in a dangerous condition and is unsafe for traffic. Viewing the country from the bridge at Fernhill, a distressing' spectacle is seen, miles of the surrounding district as far as the eye can reach being under water, the river itself rushing seawards as an angry torrent. The flood waters did not reach the dimensions of the 1897 flood, as many places which the flood waters reached onttthat occasion are quite dry and unaffected by the present flood.

At the Pantagata settlement the river flats were flooded, and one settler lost all his sheep. .. Another man who had sheep on the opposite side of the river in a dangerous position, swam the stream and succeeded in saving his stock. | AT HAVELOCK. 25 EWES ELECTROCUTED. Mr. J. H Joll, of Havelock North, was driving some of his sheep up from the flats to higher ground last evening, when they . tangled themselves up in electric wires which were lying low owing to the pole carrying tnem having blown over. As a result of the sheep’s contact with the wires 25 valuable ewes were electrocuted. The flood drainage from the hills at Havelock yesterday tested the carrying capacity of the water tables and culverts on the new roads and footpaths, several of the later being badly scoured away in places. At Havelock North the residents had an unpleasant experience, as volumes of water were lying everywhere, the business places being surrounded by water several inches deep.

| RIVER OVERSEER’S REPORT. | The Rivers Board’s overseer reported as follows at 3 p.m.:— The Tuki Tuki river is in very high flood, but is not rising. The Ngaruroro is also very high, but no damage is reported. The Tutaekuri broke its banks in two places midway between Meanee and Taradale, and also at Brookfield’s crossing on the Papakura side of the river. Meanee is under water from the hotel to Taradale, but the water is receding. The water at Clive is also going down. A number of sheep and cattle were lost at Brookfield. The Ngaruroro overflowed into the Tutaekuri at Waima and Korokipo. RIVER REPORTS. Friday, 10 a.m. Clive reports : Ngaruroro in heavy flood. Waipawa reports: River in strong flood, rfiin moderating. Maraekakaho reports : River down almost normal . YOUTH DROWNED AT WANSTEAD. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS COMPANION. (Waipukurau Correspondent). A shocking drowning accident occurred at Wansted on Thursday morning, the victim being a . youth named Hewitt, an employee of Mr. W. Murray. Sydney Murray, son of Mr. Murray, and Hewitt went out to round up some sheep and in crossing a creex Murray found himself in difficulties, Hewitt going to his assistance. The creek W’as greatly swollen by the extremely heavy rains, and the two youths were washed down stream. Murray managed to extricate himself from his dangerous position by grasping a branch of an overhanging willow. Hewitt, however, disappeared and was not seen again. His body has not yet been recovered, though a large number are engaged in the search. WAIPUKURAUf (Own Correspondent). The extremely heavy rain has put more water in the river than nas been seen for some years. The cold is also very severe, a fall of snow being recorded at Hatuma. The weather is having a disastrous effect upon the young lambs, and it is feared that large number of them will succumb. At present the rain shows not the slightest sign of ceasing. WAIPAWA. (Own Correspondent). As'a result of the heavy and continuous rain the Waipawa. district is in high flood. Land on which the river has not bean seen for many years now has a heavy current passing over it. Coronation Park, situated on the river bed, has a great deal of water on it, but as the current is moving slowly not much damage is anticipated. Considerable damage to the Waioawa County Council’s roads and iridge approaches has been reported. The council’s staff on Friday were busily engaged in traversing the district in a motor car and affixing danger lamps where required. The County Council’s ordinary meeting was postponed to Monday, the 7th inst., as all the councillors were unable to get in to Waipawa today (Friday). The weather now appears to be clearing, and the river has fallen about two feet. ELSEWHERE. [per PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Dargaville, Aug. 4. The heaviest storm for twenty years raged yesterday and the low lying ground is flooded. Several buildings were threatened with collapse, but no serious damage has yet been reported. Wellington, Aug. 4. Shannon fared badly in yesterday’s,, gale. A portion of the roof of a new house was blown off and landed 120 yards away. The occupant removed his family and a little later the house was blown off its piles and collapsed. Many trees were blown down, and about 30 chimneys levelled. Wanganui, Aug. 4. Heavy south-easterly gales continued throughout the night. The Harbour Board’s old dredge, valued at about £5OOO, moored at Castlecliff wharf, sprang a Jeak at four o’clock this morning and sank in thirty feet of water an hour later. No great difficulty in refloating her is anticipated. Palmerston N., Aug. 4. There is a heavy flood in the Manawatu river and low-lying country is inundated. The water is still rising. The Foxton train service has been held up, the line being under water for a distance of three-quar-ters of a mile. FAMILY KILLED. TREE FALLS ON TENT. Wellington, Aug. 3. The Superintendent of Police has received the following telegram from the constableat Otaki to-night:—A man named Bates and his wife and child were killed, it is supposed by a fall of bush at Manakau Camp. Bates’ body has been recovered, but those of his wife and child have not yet been recovered.