BRIDGES CARRIED AWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 8

BRIDGES CARRIED AWAY

DISLOCATION OF MAIN LINE. WHEAT CROPS RUINED. SEVEN INCHES OF RAIN IN DAY. [by telegram.—press association.] TIMAHU, Sunday. Not for the past 40 years has the Pareora River carried such a, large quantity of water. There is hardly a bridge spanning the river which bc'is n°t been damaged or swept away. On Thursday the Pareora was practically dry, but inside 24 hours the bed carried a raging torrent, which broke through the protective works in several places, flooding the adjacent/ land to a considerable depth over a wide area. Sheep and cattle were washed away at several places and wheat crops were completely ruined. The railway bridge over the Pareora River, on the main line, lost seven piles 'at the northern end and the structure is sagging over two spans for a depth of two feet. A great number of rnotor-cars are held up on tho south side of the Pareora Road Bridge. It was from Cave southwards that the heaviest fall of rain was experienced. At Nimrod Downs 17in. of rain fell in five days, over 7in. falling in 24 hours. Tho rivers north of Timaru are carrying a. fair quantity of water, but the floods have not reached the danger mark. There are wash-outs at Hook and Makikihi, some miles south of Timaru, and it is not known how long it will be before road and rail communication with the south can be re-established. SEVERAL HOMES MENACED. / __ LOWNERS SEEK HIGH GROUND. | RIVERS BECOME TORRENTS. I | [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] WAIMATE. Saturday. ! The Waimate Creek, which was completely dry last night, wss a raging torrent this morning and several residents in the vicinity were removed from their homes with the aid of a spring dray. The waters arc menacing their houses. Two motor-cars struck trouble in the creek during the night and one car now remains in the torrent, wheels upward. Damage t<* roads and bridges is general in the uorthern end of the county, many bridges on the back roads being down already, while others are threatened. The Hook River has attained its highest level for 30 years and the Makikihi River threatens to flood the township. BENEFIT TO PASTURES. CANTERBURY PLAINS SOAKED. \ [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] , CHRISTCHUECE.", Sunday. The rain which has fallen in Canterbury has done the greatest possible good to the pastures. It has penetrated the parched ground thoroughly and already there is startling evidence of a fresh growth of grass. It will also make ploughing possible. The tqtal fall in Christchurch is 2.74 in. The Eakaia Basin had 3.9 in. of rain.