NELSON DISTRICT FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 12

NELSON DISTRICT FLOODS.

GALE AND HEAVY RAIN.

RAPID RISE OF RIVERS. MANY FARMS INUNDATED! SOME DWELLINGS EVACUATED. [r.V TIXEGII.U'H.— OWN CO HUES PON DENT. ] NELSON, Monday A storm of considerable violence raged throughout Saturday night and well into Sunday morning. Heavy lain also fell and tho Maitai and tho Brook were, running almost bank high at noon yesterday. Ilcavv floods in the Wai-iti River yesterday slightly damaged one of the piers of the railway bridge near Belgrove. Tho service was maintained from either side of the bridge this morning and the NclsonGlenhopc and Glenhope-Nclson passengers walked across tho bridge. The storm was general throughout the district. Trees and fences were blown down and flooded rivers and creeks held up vehicular traffic. To-day is fine but cloudy. Since Saturday afternoon up to nine o'clock this morning the total rainfall was 2.91iu., making 24.f13in. for tho year. On Saturday evening and yesterday Motueka and the surrounding districts of Riwaka and Lower Moutcro experienced one of the largest floods for many years. Saturday night was a night long to be remembered by many in the district. The peace of mind of residents was upset by the rather severe earthquake felt shortly after six o'clock. During the evening a strong breeze freshening to a gale sprang up bringing incessant rain and by daylight on Sunday morning most of (he northern and western sections of the borough of Motueka wero badly flooded. Removed by Horse and Dray.

Soveral families in tho Whakarcwa district wore forced to vucato their homes. High Street from the Catholic church to tho Swan Hotel corner was covered by flowing storm water on Sunday morning and later in tho day by a portion of tho flood waters from tho river. Tho southern end of High Street was also covered with storm water, which was deep round tiie cottage hospital and many other places last evening. Those in tho houses of Sirs. Staples, tho Misses Staples, and Mr. S. Duncan, wcro removed with horso and dray at 9.30 on Saturday evening. Owing to the mass of water throughout the borough it was thought advisablo to close down the power house as a precautionary measure. This, while cutting out tho possibility of serious trouble, added to tho general inconvenience, especially of those residents whose houses wcro flooded or threatened with flood waters. Several houses on tho western sido of Pah Street also had the water through them. Slip on Takaka Hills.

Most parts of Riwaka and Lower Motitcre have also suffered. In tho Motucka Harbour yesterday some telegraph poles, timber and sheaves were to bo soon floating out to sea, having boon brought down by tho Moutere River. About 100 subscribers on tho Motucka telephone exchange wcro cut off at two o'clock yesterday afternoon through water getting into tho telephone cable. The damage in the first place was probably caused by tho big earthquake. A large slip caused by the heavy rain occurred on tho Takaka Hills at the twomilo peg. Two or three telephone posts on tho Takaka hill sido of Riwaka were washed away. Repair gangs are at work. Messrs. Newman Brothers transferred the mails and passengers over tho slip, which is about three chains in extent, to the Takaka car on the other side, thus completing communication. It is hoped all will be clear by to-morrow. Cattle and Sheep Drowned. A report from Takaka states heavy and continuous rains accompanied by a gale during tho early hours of Sunday morning caused the Anotoki and Waikara Rivers to overflow, flooding the district. Tho water did not invade business premises but is reported to • have entered ono or two privato residences. Many farms arc inundated to a depth of several feet and a number of head of cattle and sheep have been lost. Tho flood waters rapidly receded nfter the turn of tho lido yesterday at 10.30 a.m. All danger has now passed. Telegraphic communication with Nelson was cut off until .10 a.m. this morning owing to trees falling across the lines. The mails were despatched as usual.