THE BAY OF PLENTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17491, 8 June 1920, Page 6

THE BAY OF PLENTY.

IAURANGA AND TE PUKE.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE REPORTED.

■" Heavy rain Jell at Tauranga on Thurs--'day evening, followed by showery weather on" Friday and Saturday, and developing into a heavy downpour at about on ■ Saturday, and continuing' until seven 0 o'clock on Sunday night. The rainfall , totalled lliin., which is* believed to be a record for one storm in that district. The municipal electricity works were affected by the etorra, and there was no light on Sunday night. Electric power and light were again available yesterday morning. The borough water mains in the neighbourhood of the head works were damaged, -the break being caused by one of the . bridges being swept away and taking.the mains with it. The work of restoring the service is proceedng, and it is anticipated, that the -water supply will be available early this morning. No damage was done to small craft in the harbour. Slips on various, roads in the county were general, and men are engaged in clearing the roads. -The railway line suffered, the embankment in the neighbourhood of the Atuaroa'and Kopouroa bridges, eastward of Te Puke, being damaged. "There was a break in several places. ' A section of the line of about ten chains between Te Puke ■and* the Kaituna River was also damaged. ' The train service between the Mount and Matata could not run yes. terday, but it was expected that the service would be resumed" to-day. Paa-en-jers, however, will have to transfer at the break, as it will be some days before the damage can be repaired. There was a phenomenal rainfall at Te Puke on Saturday night, and all day on Sunday.' ' The Kaituna River awl the Waiare and other streams overflowed the'r, banks, flooding the swamp areas. Losses' of stock are reported, but no definite information can be secured. Considerable' damage has been done to the railway line j east 'and west from Te Puke. The line j has been washed away for several chains. , Repairs will occupy a week at least. The approach to the Waiare Bridge was swept away, leaving a gap of 16ft. Workmen were busily engaged yesterday in effecting temporary repairs. Motor cars were able to cross the Waiare yesterday afternoon. Residents on the Tumu-Kaituna swamp say that the flood ha been the worst in their experience. Tho main road was impassable on Sunday in several places, especially near the Kaituna Bridge. Waiter ' several feet deep, was rushing over the road. The flood water was abating ves. terday. ° -