HIKURANGI NEWS

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1936, Page 2

HIKURANGI NEWS

PHASE OF THE FLOOD

TOWN NOT GREATLY AFFECTED

The damage by flood waters was not of large dimensions at Hikurangi. The Mangawhero stream was dredged deeply several years ago, and the deluge had an easy outlet in that direction. The Dairy Company was the worst sufferer. A slip on a hill, near the Waiwhero stream, on the eastern side, blocked the water’s course, and in time a lake formed, eventually breaking its banks. The river wash'ed through, taking everything with it. It is very likely that much of this caused the deluge in the town, but it was quickly over. However, the factory, which thus had its main water supply cut off, had to call on the town board reservoir. The factory, it is estimated, uses about 35.000 gallons a day and is making a considerable drain on the reservoirs. AT THE MINE. The pumps at the mine were swamped and others had to be commissioned to bring them into the air again. This was completed on Wednesday afternoon and work was immediately continued in the drives. As they have become further developed, four more youths were employed.

IN THE TOWN,

The chimney which was blown over by the gale during the week-end was in Mrs Belton’s residence in King Street, The house is now occupied by Mrs Smith. The family had just finished breakfast and had retired into an adjoining room when the bricks and mortar crashed through the roof into the kitchen. A gaping hole in the floor, and a broken table, as well as othet damage, remain to tell* the tale.

King Street was deep in water, which penetrated into Lomas’ shop, covering the floor, with the exception of the drapery department, three inches deep. The concrete bridgte in King Street did not have enough elevation to allow the swollen stream to pass beneath it. Consequently, flooded conditions prevailed, with water- tearing across the roadway. Passers-by had to wade through knee-deep. Part of the balconies ht the Hikurangi Hotel were swept away in ihe gusty gale on Sunday morning. One of those to suffer in Jordan was l&r Nuthall, who lost 25 cows and all his pigs. Many climbed the Hikurangi mountain on Sunday, where an excellent view of the swamped countryside, particularly in Whakapara and Jordan districts, could be obtained. 1 Beans eight feet high and tomatoes in a well advanced stage in gardens in George Street were flattened by the strong wind.

PERSONAL,

Miss Jean Wilson, of Auckland, is visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs G. Wilson, View Road. Mr Jack Stevenson, of Auckland, has taken up duties as a mechanic at Stockley’s garage. Miss Joyce Cadman has returned from the Whangarei District Hospital.

TENNIS CHALLENGE.

The Hikurangi Tennis Club will challenge for the Rishworth Shield on Saturday. The trophy is now held by Maungatapere, but local exponents expect to put up a hard fight, although the game has not been played a great deal in the town lately. Coming fixtures are a match against Hora Hera on February 15 and a match between the Hikurangi A and B teams on the following Saturday. The ladder, as it now stands, is;—

Ladies: Mrs A. Finlayson, Miss Dunn, Miss D. Gomez, Mrs B. Young, Mrs Craighead, Mrs Pearson, Mrs B. Coutts, Mrs Meadows. Men; C. Hamilton, C. Meyer, A. Finlayson, L. Cooke, H. Pearson, T. Burley, J. Rarity, A. Crozier, W. Cossill and D. Craighead.

BOWLING NOTES. ' Three inches of water covered the bowling club’s green on Sunday, but, luckily, no serious damage was done. It was cut and rolled two days later, and is now in as good condition as ever. The croquet lawns received their share, but were not adversely affected.

The club championship singles were commenced this week, with matches in the first round. Results arq:—W. Robinson beat Smith, Johnson beat Phillips. Sankey beat McDonald. Brown had a bye and other matches to be decided are: McNay v. Gibson and Stark v. Nesbitt.

TOWN BOARD MEETING

At the monthly meeting of the Hikurangi Town Board on Tuesday night, the chairman, Mr R. Nesbitt, presided over Cmrs. D. Cochran, S. Pearson, W. J. McKinlay, N. J. Gibson and the town clerk, Mr C. E. O’Callaghan.-

The Unemployment Board ' wrote agreeing to subsidise the board in labour on trucking and laying the new 6-inch steel, concrete-lined pipes to the reservoir.

A reply was received from the district engineer agreeing to seal Valley Road during 1936-37 on the usual subsidy. The works committee was requested to make the necessary pre-

parations. The Mayor of Auckland wrote regarding the Crippled Children’s Fund. It was decided to acknowledge the letter, and request a visit of the or-

ganiser next time he came to the district, so that board members might be given the opportunity of meeting him.

The foreman was directed to ask property owners to have hedges cut back from the footpaths. Building permits were granted (subject to the by-laws and fees) to C. Neill and K. Zuvich to construct a garage in Valley Road.

On the motion of Cmr. Cochrafi, it was resolved that a penalty of 10 per cent, be charged on all rates and fees not paid by March 7. Cmr. Cochran also moved that the action of the chairman in authorising a 2-inch main from the town water supply to the dairy factory be endorsed.

The foreman reported that the damage to the water supply was not as serious as at first assumed. All the dams were intact, but the hill near Cunningham’s had moved for some distance, thus severing the main and cutting off supplies from that source. A good deal of trucking was necessary before investigation as to further breaks, but it was expected to have the pipe in commission again on Wednesday. There was also a break in the 9-inch concrete main, which had been repaired. and it was working again today. It was unfortunate that both breaks had occurred at the same time, especially in view of the increased requirements of the dairy company. SATURDAY NIGHT DANCES. The Saturday night dances at the Criterion Theatre were commenced again last week after the pictures. A good crowd assembled, and the Monte Carlo was won by Mr Viscovitch and Miss Laverick.