RAIN IN PROVINCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21916, 27 September 1934, Page 12

RAIN IN PROVINCE

HEAVY FALLS YESTERDAIY MINOR FLOODING OCOURS SEVERE STORM AT THAMES There was a continuance of wet weather in the greater part of the province yesterday. In several districts south of Auckland there were heavy falls, and minor flooding and slips resulted.

On the main highway between Kawhia and Te Awamutu, near the locality known as "Windy Point," a slip occurred, partially blocking the road. As a result a service car bound for Te Awamutu was two hours late in reaching its destination. A very heavy rainstorm was experienced at Thames shortly after 3 o'clock in the morning. The paddocks about Parawai, about 'three miles from Thames, wore flooded, while the water channels in Grahamstown were overflowing. The storm broke with exceptional severity over Ngatea about 4 a.m., the rain for a period being of a tropical nature. It caused rapid and extensive flooding, and the highest tide at the Ngatea Wharf since 1924, when a severe flood was experienced. At Waitakaruru the flood waters and tide overflowed the stopbanks, and between the canal and stream on the seaward side of the road tho country was completely inundated. Apart from minor flood damage, the rain should prove beneficial to pastures throughout the Hauraki Plains district. In Hamilton warm penetrative showers fell throughout the day. The rainfall for the 48 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday was 1.27 in., and the total for the month, 2.56 in. The effect of the rain in the last two days is already apparent in the pastures and gardens.

As the result of heavy rains the Waitoa River rose nearly 9ft., and overflowed its banks. The rainfall in the last two days registered at Te Aroha was 8.40 in.

The greater part of the day was fine at Tauranga, but there were several heavy showers. The total fall up to 9 a.m. since the commencement of rain on Tuesday was 2.26 in.

CONDITIONS IN THE CITY MANTJKAU BAR UNWORKABLE The weather was again boisterous and wet yesterday, and the condition? continued threatening last night. The cyclonic character of the storm which has been crossing New Zealand since Sunday was apparent early yesterday morning, when the wind changed from north-east to West. Throughout the day and evening, the wind blew with the foroe. of a fret'h breeze, and light showers were experienced at intervals. On the west coast the conditions were very stormy. After blowing with gale foroe from the north during the night the wind changed to the west-south-west about eight o'clock yesterday morning without decreasing in strength. The change of wind • caused a very "rough sea on the coast, and after midday the Manukau bar was unworkable. Last evening waves were. breaking heavily on the bar half a mile out from the entrance to the harbour.

CANTERBURY ROADS BLOCKED SEVERAL SLIPS OCCUR [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday The main road to Akaroa is blocked by a slip near Barry's Bay, caused by rain falling since Monday. No service cars were able to get throngb till noon. Other slips have blocked the AkaroaPigeon Bay Road, but the weather is clearing slightly. DOWNPOUR IN OTAOO THREE INCHES IN 24 HOURS [BY TELEGRAPH—PREBB ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Wednesday Steady driving rain from the north for 24 hours, amounting to over 3in. in the country, although only lin. in the city, has caused some slips. A small slip outside Caversham Tunnel delayed workers' trains for a short period. The Kaikorai Stream is dangerously high at Green Island, causing fear of a repetition of the floods of three years ago. Several roads are blocked in Otago Central, necessitating some deviations.