FISHING WATERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21448, 23 March 1933, Page 10

FISHING WATERS

NOTED POOLS AFFECTED

TONGARIRO OVERFLOWS

ALTERED COURSE POSSIBLE

i[nr TELEGRAPH —OWN COUItESPONnENT] TUKANGI, "Wednesday

Torrential rain which fell last Saturday night caused a bank-high flood in the Tongariro River on Sunday. Showery weather continued throughout Sunday and Monday, but the river was falling rapidly until Monday evening, when further heavy rain commenced and continued until one o'clock this morning. As a result the river again rose rapidly, reaching its maximum between two and three o'clock. It is estimated that in many places tho river roso at least lift., flowing over its banks practically everywhere from tho hatcheries downward. The low-lying country between tho bridge and the rivermouth has changed form temporarily, in places being Bft. under water. The flood was tho highest experienced for many years, and tho most notable feature to-day is tho large quantities of huge logs and pumice deposited everywhere over land which a few days ago was Bft. or 10ft. above water. .

Camps Abandoned

Campers on the river bank had a very anxious time, eventually having to evacuate their camps at two o'clock this morning, leaving everything to tho mercy of tho waters.

To-day broko fine, and with its fastflowing water, tho Tongariro fell rapidly. Along the hanks this morning fairly largo numbers of trout, mostly of tho brown spocies, and many small fish, were to bo found lying high and dry. Ono party collected five fish, including a 13-pounder. A few head of stock aro reported to be missing from the flooded area, whilo several boats have been washed away from upstream pools. JMo other material damage has been reported.

Banks Scoured Away

It is yet a little early to say what change the flood has made to tho river course, but in many places the banks have been considerably scoured away, with ihe result that several well-known jjools have altered considerably, while upstream some, including tho Duchess Pool, are likely to disappear altogether, leaving only rapid water in their place.

Down-stream the most noticeable change seems to have taken place at tho Log and de Latour Pools. At the former it appears that more water than ever will now flow through the Boat Pool, thereby robbing the famous Log Pool, while at the de Latour Pool tho bank lias been washed back many feet. It is at this point that the river may alter its course completely, should there be any more floods of tho magnitude experienced yesterday. The river at the present time is still about 6ft. above normal, and not until it falls can tho full effect of the flood be estimated.

Anglers generally are confident that somo groat sport will be had when tho river tails and cleans itself, as hundreds of fish can bo seen already in calmer waters near tho bank. By Friday afternoon conditions should be back to normal on the Tongariro if the weather Temains fine.

STOCK TAKEN TO SAFETY

BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT

LOWER AREAS AFFECTED

[BY TELEGRAPH—OWN COItHESrON'DENT] OPOTIKI, Wednesday

Flooding occurred in the district through heavy rain last night arid early this morning. A serious situation in Opotiki was averted by the stop-bank erected by ihe Borough Council, the expense of which ha.s been fully justified. At Hamilton's, 15 miles up the Waioeka River, the water reached the highest level for eight years, and will probably rise further when the water gets down from the back country. The road i 3 entirely blocked to traffic and it is expected that it will tako two or three days to open. It is also reported that one small bridge on the "Waioeka Road has been washed away. The Uisborne and Coast roads are also blocked by slips on the hiiis, no service cars being able to get through. A mail carrier endeavoured to get down the coast, but the depth of water on the road at Waiawu and Tirohanga compelled him to return. The Opotiki Cemetery and Volkncr's Island are both under water. The water is also running across Church Street from the Otara River and across Duke Street from the Waioeka River. Farmers along the river banks were out early moving stock from low-lying areas, but some near the Waioeka River had to be left. As far as is known no stock has been lost. A quantity of timber from the old bridge at Oponae had been stacked near the river and is believed to have been washed down the river.

Telegraph linesmen have been out since early this morning endeavouring to restore communication with Gisborne and the south.