REMARKABLE DOWNPOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20089, 29 October 1928, Page 8

REMARKABLE DOWNPOUR.

CLOUDBURST NEAR ELTHAM.

FENCES AND TREES DAMAGEDFive farms were flooded and considerable damage was done to fences, tree plantations and water-races and other property on the Hunter Road, Eitham, about three o'clock last Friday afternoon as tho result of a cloudburst. The phenomenon was described as a terriffic hail and rain storm of about 20 minutes' duration, water falling in torrents sufficient to convert the paddocks into lakes. The stow* was purely local, five farms only suffering to any extent, while country workmen engaged at Skcet. Road nearby were favoured with sunny conditions and worked all day. The limits of damage from the water were the farms of Messrs. R. Cleaver and J. Startup on higher sloping country, and W. E. Carter, R. Prestidge and N. Swindlehurs'l in the lower gullies. A veritable river of water descended from tho higher slopes across the Hunter lload and swept fences away in a. torrent over a chain wide along three paddocks 011 Sir. Carter's farm. A car journeying along t ho, road was slowed to walking

pace, water reaching the running boards, while in the vicinity of the factory tho road was impassable owing to tin; presence of a torrent 4ft. deep A water -ace used hy Mr. Swindlelnirsfc for milking machine power was almost washed away. A fence was washed out un Mr. Carter's farm and a pine-tree plantation was scoured to the solid rock. Several ducks were drowned and buried in tho debris before the storm ceased. The water entered tho Hautoki Stream and undermined a bridge 011 Mr. Carter s property. Tho house was sorely tried and the kitehe:i flooded

"There inusf. have been Jhousands of gallons of water," caid Mrs. Carter. 1 have never seen so much water fall hefore. It was a sight worth seeing."