6.73 ins of Rain, High Wind, But Little Damage

Northern Advocate, 15 January 1940, Page 6

6.73 ins of Rain, High Wind, But Little Damage

TERMINATING an uninterrupted dry spell since DECEMBER 16, A STORM OF CYCLONIC INTENSITY SWEPT NORTHLAND ON SATURDAY. The rainfall of 6.73 inches in Whangarei was one of the heaviest ever recorded here for a 24-hour period. At Maungatapere the school gauge registered 4.15 inches for the week-end. • A high northerly wind sprang up on Friday night, gradually increasing in intensity and being accompanied by heavy rain on Saturday afternoon. The storm reached its height on Saturday night. As the wind swung round to the south, the weather gradually abated and yesterday was calm with occasional showers. The rain gauge at "Whangarei this morning showed only .16 of an inch, and the weather today was bright but cooler. Whangarei borough escaped lightly, the Wind 'doing most damage. Both Central and Mail- Parks were littered with branches torn from the trees. Two slips occurred in Pnnga Grove Road and the Kauika Road-Fourlh Avenue corner was washed out.

Little Damage Done

Considering the terrific velocity of the wind, which rocked houses and flattened crops, surprisingly little damage was done, and the rough weather, bringing with it copious rain, has done more good than harm. Holidaymakers at seaside resorts suffered considerable inconvenience, and at Waipu Cove the seas beat right across the road.

Swollen by flood waters, the Waitangi Falls created an imposing spectacle which drew a large number of visitors yesterday. Farmers welcomed the rain, which will renew the growth and steady the fall in butterfat production. The cold spell yesterday, however, was not appreciated, some herds dropping to half the previous day’s output. Dairying Will Profit With the improvement in conditions today dairying will profit very appreciably. Haymaking losses were few, as most farmers had taken advantage of the ideal Christmas and New Year weather to complete their cuts. Owing to high winds early in the spring and December rains resulting in brown rot, the Northland fruit crop this year is a light one, but has been made lighter still by the havoc caused at the weekend*. Many trees have been uprooted and tanks blown down. In Middle North. Wintry weather conditions prevailed in the Middle North. Continuous rain, accompanied by cold temperatures, was experienced throughout Saturday, and it was not until early Sunday morning that the rain ceased for a short period, to be followed by intermittent showers. No main highways were blocked, though several by-roads were blocked to traffic on Saturday night, while on Sunday cars had difficulty in travelling on roads at Motatau, Mataraua and Pakaraka. Backed by a strong wind, high seas battered the Paihia Beach on Saturday night, and waves repeatedly broke over the road. Numerous campers experienced an unenviable night, and at least 11 tents were ruined by the wind. As a result of the storm, a number of campers had to pack their belongings and leave the beach before dawn on Sunday. Sporting activities over the weekend were, with the exception of one cricket match, cancelled. (Stories of experiences in other parts of New Zealand on Page 3).

One cottage was lifted bodily and carried 100 yards

upstream. Fine weather succeeding enabled damp bedding and clothing to be dried, although many who were under canvas, terminated their holidays abduptly - In the Hikurangi Swamp area, where on Saturday morning streams were below normal level, a three-quarter flood occurred, a stretch of water eight miles in length and half a mile in width appearing as if by magic. Cascade Down Mountain Settlers say that neveb previously had they seen water -flow in such cascades down the slopes of Hikurangi Mountain. Hikurangi township did not escape, and the hoarding above the verandah of Mr C. B. Gager’s top shop, was blown down. Thanks largely owing to the progressive policy of raising roads carried out during the past two years by the Public Works Department all main traffic routes were passable yesterday. The work done by the P.W.D. in building the roads above flood level was apparent when sections of the old routes were seen covered deeply in flood waters. Today trouble was experienced on the main highway to Dargaville which later became impassable owing to flooding at two points near T an £i" teroria. Subsidences on the alternative Houot route made travelling awkward. Water Across Russell Road The service car from Mangakahia arrived on time, little flooding having occurred in the Valley. The Russell Road, however, was not negotiable this morning, water being across the metal at several points. Numerous small slips have occurred on roads . now under reconstruction, notably the Paihia Road and the Whangarei Heads Road. These were insufficient to block traffic, although at Tamaterau, a large pohutukawa tree, preserved by the County Council for many years, fell across the road, causing a temporary hold-up.

This was quickly removed by Public Works employees. A fleet of lorries is on the job this morning removing spoil from the Kauri cutting, the face of which has slipped almost bodily, without causing any inconvenience to traffic. Power Supply Interruptions

Telegraphic and telephonic communication escaped lightly.

At Ruatangata • a telephone cable was flooded, but restored by 11.30 on Sunday night. In the Bay of Islands, brief interruption to the power supply occurred late on Saturday night, and the Whangarei service" was off for about 10 minutes at 9.30 p.m.