OVER NINE INCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18381, 23 April 1923, Page 8

OVER NINE INCHES.

DAY'S RAIN IN TAURANGA.

NGAPUHFS ROUGH TRIP,.

SHOPS ON STRAND FLOODED. [BT TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA. Saturday. "An easterly gala and rainstorm which developed on Thursday and continued yesterday increased in intensity last night. Thunder and lightning set in early in the evening and continued until six- o'clock this morning. Very heavy rain fell during the night and eased off for a brief period about seven o'clock. Many showers fell at intervals to-day. The record of rainfall for the twentyfour hours ending at nine am. to-day was 9.41 inches. '), The roads everywhere bear traces of erosion caused by the torrential downpour. The water invaded several shops on the Strand. About ten o'clock last night the electric light dimmed and gave signs of failing, but fortunately no failure resulted. The transmission line was struck by lightning about a mile from the falls, but the lightning arresters did their work and no .trouble resulted. Debris getting into the intake, however, has caused some damage to the screens, but this will not affect the supply of current. Beyond this no damage is reported from -the head works. This morning the water supply in the town gradually failed, indicating some! trouble on the line. The engineer and a gang of men are ; out to locate the trouble. It is assumed that one if not more of the small bridges carrying the pipes has been damaged. It is reported that traffic between Tauranga and Te Puke is interrupted owing to damage to one or two small bridges on the main, east coast road. Telegraphio and telephonic communication between Tauranga and Te Puke was interrupted. The railway line has been damaged by washouts. The steamer Ngapuhi arrived here at five p.m. yesterday. She' left Auckland at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday in the face of an easterly gale. On arriving at the Cape Capt. Haultain deemed it prudent to dodge about in comparatively smooth water and wait for daylight as in the darkness and the rain it was impossible to distinguish % anything. The passage was resumed about 6.30 a.m. and after rounding the Cape the steamer experienced the full fury of the elements which grew worse as the day advanced. Water continually broke on board and when between Slipper and Mayor Islands a terrific sea hit the vessel bri the starboard side and smashed in the port of the lavatory and bathroom, breaking away doors, and doing extensive damage. Another sea carried away part of "■ the companion at the saloon entrance, letting in considerable water below and making things very uncomfortable. ." .' ■ ';.*,., Soon after a sea broke aboard and lifted one of the port lifeboats off the chocks and dashed it against the engineroom skylight, some of the planks of the boat being stove in. Several odds and #nds about the decks were swept overboard. Matters in the engine department were far from pleasant as considerable water found its way down. :"'>. ■': ~,! \y The downpour will be of considerable benefit to pastures. The temperature remains high and there is every prospect of a good growth of grass before the wintry weather sets in. ' - > ;'* At 7 p.m. the wind had dropped to a dead calm. The rain ceased for a couple of hours this aftemon, but a light drizzle set in just before seven p.m.■.; All overland mail communication with Auckland' is cut off A heavy sea is running off the coast.