BAD WEATHER IN THE NORTH.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 19 April 1895, Page 3

BAD WEATHER IN THE NORTH.

MUCH DAMAGE DONE. Wellington, April 16. The weather in the vicinity of Wellington during the early part of the week was very severe. Near Palraerston North the damage to the railway-line is extensive, the approaches to the Pohangina bridge, on the gorge line, being greatly damaged. The permanent way in the gorge was washed out in ' places, and traffic is suspended. The line to Wanganui was washed out near Bunuythorpe. The Foxton railway-line was under water near the Orona bridge, and the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co.'s line was washed out a ahort distance south of Linton station, at Makerua Swamp. At the Hutt and Petone, half the district was under water to a depth of 4ft or 5Ft. Many families near the river-bank removed, to higher localities. At one time it was j thought that the Wainuiomata water-

Q works were in dan?«r, and th^ mayo a ; and foreman of the works endeavourei ° | to get out, but found the flood wate i prevented them. Subsequently, how r ever, a message was received that the j water was subsiding, and the worki jj i secure. A large area in the Wairarap* I i Valley was under water. Wm, Hobbs ; ; aged 17, was riding along the Waikan < | road, when the bank collapsed, and b*>th » he and his horse fell into the Akataraws river, and were drowDed. Nearly lOin of rain has fallen. • There were no floods in town, and ' very little visible damage, but the houses have suffered inside to an extent unknown before, the fury of the wind having forced the water through the walls, no matter how stoutly they were built. There have been heavier rains and fiercer gales in past years, but no one can remember for very many years a storm so continuously severe for three days and nights. A public meeting is to be held at Masterton to consider what steps should be taken for the protection of the town. It is feared that another flood will bring the Waipoua through it. Pahiatua wag completely cut off, and the Mangatainoko flooded the township, in places 3ft deep. All the roads except that to Woodville are impassable, and the telegraph wires are all down. Great damage has been done in the country, and it is believed that serious damage has occurred at Woodville. Bitterly cold weather was experienced at Picton. Old residents declare that the gale is the strongest felt for many years. A settler from Port Underwood states that a good deal of damage has been done in that district. The gale did not do much damage in Blenheim, orchards and gardens suffering most. -<» „