TORRENTIAL RAIN

Northern Advocate, 4 September 1934, Page 4

TORRENTIAL RAIN

3.40 INCHES LAST NIGHT

HIKURANGI SWAMP FLOODED.

KAWAKAWA ROAD UNDER

WATER

Following a week of fine weather, in which traces of winter almost entirely disappeared, and an overcast week-end, heavy rain commenced to fall in Whangarei late yesterday afternoon, continuing solidly throughout the night. It was accompanied at times by a high easterlv wind.

The rainfall has again been exceptional—3.4o inches in the 24 ’ hours. This has only been exceeded once previously this year—on July 7, the occasion of the unprecedented flood which swamped a great deal of Whangarei, when 4.73 inches fell. The next highest recording was 2.31 inches on June IS.

The soil, being for the most part of a volcanic nature, responded very quickly to fine weather, and being porous, absorbed a great deal of moisture before much was left on the surface. However, creeks everywhere arc much swollen, and the Wairoahia stream, • which has been the subject of much controversy since the flood of July, was almost level with its banks long after high tide. Fortunately the rain abated somewhat after 9 o’clock.

The premises of Messrs. ICendell Bros., Bank Street, were entered by water, owing to the building activities next door and the absence of guttering. However, business people as a whole have escaped the unhappy visitations experienced in mid-winter. The Northern Patrol of the A.A. reports that all roads wore clear this * morning, with the exception of the ICawakawa-Whangarei highway, which was under water at Whakapara. If further rain falls travellers are advised to inepure before proceeding on any route.

After 24 hours’ rain, the lower levels of the Hjkurangi swamp drainage area are again under water. Old residents of the district say that the flood rose more rapidly than at any time in their recollection. The flood waters appeared to take a course behind the river banks, spreading over the flats and emptying into the river lower down.

At Ruatangata, where the gauge nsu- i ally shows a higher reading than in Whangarei, 2.17 inches fell. The copious moisture, coupled with the humid conditions, should result in a great stimulus to spring growth.

TRAIN RACES FLOOD,

DELUGE IN KAIHU VALLEY,

CLOSE CALL WITH MAILS. CREAM VAN LEFT BEHIND. (Special to "Northern Advocate.”) DARGAVILLE, This Day. ;; With flood water within a couple of I inches' of the level of the firebox, the train between Donnelly’s Crossing -and Dargaville this morning had to run ahead of flood waters which had been caused by the effect of exceptionally heavy rains in the head waters of Kaihu Valley. It is estimated that had the train been a few minutes later it would not have bpen able to get through.' The train crew did not take any risks of stoppage, and they had to leave behind a truck loaded with cream for the Northern Wairoa factory at the Maropiu railway station. They had only time to grab the mailbags from the Maropiu postmaster, Mr George Merchant, who was in gum boots with water up to his knees.

The Kaihu service motor car was held up at Ahikiwi. Rain is general throughout OtamaHobson counties, the fall having been fairly good last night. With the exception of the areas mentioned all roads are clear.