WAIKATO IN FLOOD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22333, 3 February 1936, Page 11

WAIKATO IN FLOOD

! HAMILTON'S EXPERIENCE I ROOF LIFTED FROM GARAGE [BY TET.KGRArH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Sunday The worst storm that the Waikato has experienced for many years oc- ? curred in the early hours of this morn- ! ing, when, following 20 hours' incessant ! rain, a violent north-east gale sprang tip, causing widespread damage. The rainfall at Hamilton for the 2-1 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day totalled 3.48 in., the heaviest recorded for many years, and exceeding the average fall for the month of January. The rain sot in about 9 o'clock on Saturday morning. At first it was very light, but the downpour increased in intensity and all outdoor sports had to be postponed. There was little wind during the day and evening, but about 2 o'clock this morning a violent gale developed. The Waikato River rose during the night, and to-day was running at flood level, approximately 7ft. above normal. The only damage reported in Hamilton was the fall of a giant elm in Grey Street, Hamilton East. The tree, which was planted by early settlers 60 years ago, fell across the street and blocked all traffic. Borough workmen were soon on the scene and removed it in a few hours. Falling trees and branches carried by the wind caused a number of stoppages of power in the Central Waikato Power Board's area. Early in tinmorning power failed at Taupiri and Te Kauwhata, causing a number of farmers to begin milking their herds by hand. However, tho supply waS restored by 8 a.m. and the machines were put into operation. This afternoon the power failed again, and was off for several hours. Shortly after mid-day tho wind lifted the iron roof from Mr. I. N. Waugh's garage at Te Kauwhata and deposited it on top of the rear portion of tho building. The power lines in tho vicinity were broken.