HEAVY DELUGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 8

HEAVY DELUGE

DANNEVIBKE DISTKICT DAMAGE TO BRIDGES TRAIN TRAFFIC AFFECTEDRUSH OF FLOOD WATERS [BV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DANNEVIRKE, Sunday The heavy rain of the previous three days culminated in a cloudburst on the Glengarry "Block, at the back of Dannevirke, at about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, fo[. lowing a thunderstorm. The rain was phenomenally heavy and, in £ short time, water was pouring over the countryside, down th ß hill slopes, in the direction of Laws Road, on the south side of the town The water rushed across all the flafc ronntrv between the road and the Dannevirke golf course. The main road was soon under water, and motor traffic was impeded for a time. The water then ran down the railwav line and through the cutting near the golf course to the northern approach to the railway bridge over the Tama&i River, where it scoured out a section under the bridge approach, letting down a block of concrete and rendering tha line impassable for through traffic. Excursionists Held Up The north-bound Napier express got through safely, but an excursion train from Wanganui, with about 260 passer.l- - on board, was unable to cross the bridge, and the passengers were held up for two hours on the south side, until they were transferred by motor-cars xo Dannevirke. Many of the excursionists, however, had set out on the three-mile walk to the town before the transport arrangements were organised, and they had aja unenviable experience. Many were without provisions, which they later secured in Dannevirke, where they were transferred to an express for Napier, which left Dannevirke at 9.1 a p.m. Small Bridges Washed Away The flood waters washed away two small boundary bridges, between the Dannevirke borough and county, ani over the Taupuapa Stream, cutting oil communication. The borough water race was considerably damaged in places;, but the supply was not seriously affected, and should be fully restored by to-morrow.

Workmen were busily engaged to-day repairing the damaged railway bridge-, and it is expected that normal railway traffic will be resumed to-morrow. Although the rain fell with unusual severity, the total loss does not amount to a very considerable sum.