HAWKE'S BAY FLOODS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21506, 1 June 1933, Page 12

HAWKE'S BAY FLOODS

RIVER LEVELS FALLING FARMS STILL INUNDATED LARGE AREAS AFFECTED | [BY TBJUICUJII'H—OWN COKJiESPOXDE.Vr] NAPIER. "Wednesday The flood levels of the rivers are steadily decreasing as a result of the easing off i.u the rain, which is now confined to oecasioual showers. However, the water left by the rivers when they broke their banks is still deep over the lower areas, particularly at Meeanee, where about 1-300 acres are still mandated. One of the most remarkable features of the Hood is the fact that Meeanee suffered so severely, although the river channel which gave such trouble was carrving only about one-fifth of the total flood water. An exceptionally large volume of water passed down the overflow channel, the course by which the river will be taken. to the sea when the diversion proposal now in hand is com pie ted. Although a fair quantity of water is still flowing into the old channel a noticeable shoal is forming across the entrance, and with another small fall iu the river level the flow to Meeanee will, be eu'i oif. Little work would then be required to seal the river off the old course,, winch would prevent further flocd water escaping through various breaks over the farm lauds of Meeanee ant! PapaJtura.

Ia the meantime the level of flood water over a great expanse of country stretching from Aleeanee toward Taradalte remains practically the .same. At Brookfield's Bridge the southern approach has been washed away and now a deep stream is swirling through a gap which is fully 40ft. wide. Before the bridge can be made available for traffic an additional span will have to be erected.

Although two dams on tlif Taradale Road were cut yesterday morning to provide a« outlet; for watjjf that cover ;d >£eeaiiee no improvement had resulted up to this afternoon. Settlers are being obliged to use: boats in order to get from their homes to the township. Although a great deal of muddy and silt-laden water flowed into the inner harbour, the siltation there has not been as jerious as was the ease last year. Soundings have been made by til<3 Napier Harbour Board and as far aa can bo ascertained the siltation vE.ries from one to four feet. The portion DJOiit affected is in the channel leading to the Iron Pot. and the Kiritcna became stranded there for about two hou;:s yesterday afternoon. Efforts to*tow her off the mud then succeeded.