STREETS FLOODED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21881, 17 August 1934, Page 10

STREETS FLOODED

WELLINGTON DOWNPOUR WATER ENTERS HOUSES CITY AREAS AFFECTED UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON. Thursday One of the heaviest rainfalls in Wellington city for several years occurred this morning, when a torrential downpour of ,B(3in., between 9 a.m. and 10.*.0 a.m., Hooded streets and, in tho lower part of Newtown, where stormwater drains were overtaxed, water entered houses.

On Lambton Quay, in front of the Justice Department and Magistrate's Court buildings water covered the street over a foot deep and held up pedestrian traffic. Extensive flooding also occurred opposite the Public Trust Office. Water banked up at the corner of Wakefield and Mercer Streets, and rose above the axles of several cars at the kerb. Mishap to a Cyclist

When attempting to negotiate the flood a messenger on a bicycle fell and received a soaking. Pedestrians picked their way carefully around the flood, which extended right across the footpath to tho buildings. Willis Street, opposite the Windsor Hotel ivas flooded from kerb to kerb, and motor-cars and tramcars threw out showers of water as they passed along. Sand and gravel washed down from the hillside dislocated the Karori tram service. In one place the debris spread across both tracks. Until tho rubbish was cleared a service was run from Karori to Orangi Haupapa Road, passengers there transferring to cars for the city. Trams Held Up In addition to interruptions to the tram service at Karori and near the Basin Reserve, the Brooklyn service was held up for about 16 minutes while mud and other debris were cleared off the tracks. As it affected the tram service, the flood was one of the worst Wellington has experienced for several years. The rain fell in sheets while it lasted and shop doorways and windows were crowded with amused spectators of Wellington streets under water. -Many motorists had difficulty in getting their cars to function after the rain.

Wood blocking in several places, notably about the Government Buildings and in Willis Street, Kent Terrace and Adelaide Road, was forced up in ridges right out of position. Footpaths and roads were left coated with slimy silt, which made them difficult to negotiate safely even after the water had subsided. Clearing of Debris Workmen were engaged during the afternoon in hosing this off the footpaths near the Government Buildings in Lambton Quay, where the flood was at its worst.

A great volume of water, collected from the flooded surfaces of lower Newtown, swept down Adelaide Road and poured into Alfred Street and the low-est-lying area in the vicinity of the Basin Reserve. The flood *waters invaded the premises of the National Hat Mills and forced residents further down the street to vacate their homes. Women and children were carried through water at places over 3ft. deep.

To find the cot in -which her infant was sleeping floating in nearly 2ft. of water in one of the bedrooms was the experience of one woman. The sudden rise of water had caught her unawares, but the child was carried to safety. Waist Deep in Water

In their efforts to rescue household goods, both inside and outside dwellings, many women were often in water above the waist. The cessation of the rain checked the rising waters, and in an hour from the time the houses were vacated the City Council emplqyees had freed the channels of debris and the water was getting away fast.

The interiors of the houses showed the extent of the flooding at its height. Every wall was adorned with a highwater mark, a foot or more from the skirting, and the patterns of the floor coverings were entirely obliterated by a slimy residue of clay and black mud.

Gardens and back yards were heavily silted and the whole scene was one of muddy desolation. I. For the 24 hours up to 4 o'clock this afternoon I.oßin. of rain fell. While it lasted the morning's downpour was the heaviest Wellington has experienced this year. DAMAGE BY GALE AREA NEAR GISBORNE MAIZE CRIBS SUFFER [BV TELF.GRArn OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Thursday

A part of the Poverty Bay flats experienced an unusual visitation this morning, when a high wind, rising to gale forco in gusts, swept tho roofs from several maize cribs and caused other damage. On Lavenham Road, near Repongaore, 11 miles from Gisborno, a baker's delivery van, driven by Mr. W. Stubbiiigs, was struck by a fierce gust of wind, which lifted the body clear of the chassis, turning it over and .scattering the contents on tho roadway. Mr. Stubbings was fortunate to escape injury, as tho cab of tho vehicle was thrown clear of the driver, who was left sitting. on the chassis of the car.

A few minutes later a corrugated iron shed on the road frontage of Mr. J. Judd's property was lifted out of a paddock on to the road, where it was demolished by the wind. Throughout the Patutahi area maize cribs suffered the loss of part of or the whole of their iron roofing, and other minor damage was done by the high wind.

Motor drivers, in'many cases, found difficulty in keeping their machines on the road against the drive of gusts, but no accidents were reported other than that to Mr. Stubbings' van.