BIG FLOODS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1925, Page 1

BIG FLOODS.

BY TELEGRAPH- —PRESS ASSN . } COPYRIGHT, TK K (MIT , May 23. It now appeal's that trouble at Wuimisa was caused by a culvert being washed away about- (> p.m. yesterday. This was cleared at four o’clock this morning. At mid-night the entrance to PoroI a rue Tunnel was blocked by a big slip, and ibts stopped all traffic. It is expected to be clear by noon to-day. WIIAKATANE. May 2(1. The biggest Hoods experienced here for twenty years have inundated a large portion of the low-lying countrv this muring. For the last, two days, a tierce north easterly wind blew, accompanied by heavy rain in the town and country. At Pompom, just outside the town, a good portion of the land was submerged. and the settlers had to get out at night to higher ground. Many of the settlers to-day were engaged in rescuing their stock and getting the anmials to higher ground. As far as is known, little damage was done to tin l stuck. Damage to some small crait in the Whakatanc River is reported, and Mill. West, a local resident, lost a wellequipped launch. TA FRANCA, May 23.

An easterly gale developed yesterday morning with exceptionally heavy rain, resulting in a heavy Hood in the Omanawa River, one lot ol dehris brought down blocking the intake tunnel, causing a temporary stoppage of the electricity supply from 3.30 to i .00. At McLaren’s Falls, where new electricity works are nearing completion, the river rose nearly 10 loot in under three hours. The main dam has just been completed, the last ot the concrete being put in three days ago. The diversion tunnel and scour valve- in the (lain, being unable to carry the water, a lake ol over 100 million gallons piled behind the dam helnre (he water got over the spillway. The engineer, .Mr Mandeno, reports that the dam stood the exceptional test without injury of any kind.

No damage is reported in the immediate district. The weather is now line. Intermittent rain during the week ended in a heavy twenty hours downpour yesterday, resulting in serious floods in Ohakunc and the district this morning. Bridges have been washed away, and roads washed out. BIG SLIPS ON MAIN TRUNK. AUCKLAND, May 21. The first- passengers to reach Auckland* from Wellington since Friday morning arrived hv a relict train fiom Piriaka shortly after half past one this afternoon.