SHOPS INVADED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 10

SHOPS INVADED

TOWNSHIP SUFFERS tokomaru bay district MANY BRIDGES DESTROYED [BY IELECHAPH —OWN COBBESrONDE.NT] TOKOMARU BAY, Saturday A scene of desolation was presented at Tokomaru Bay to-day. The flood caused serious damage in several buildings, 18in. of water flowing through Mr. A. P. Orr's shop and ruining valuable Chinese silks. Mr. and Mrs. Orr were both away, and the assistant, Miss Conole, had to make a hurried escape. The engine room of the local newspaper office was under water and the printing machines were damaged. The water was shoulder high over parts of the main road, through the town. During the night communication between Gisborne and the south was interrupted. Water poured through the local hotel and left 2in. of silt on the ground floor. Firewood stocks were swept away, a tennis court was buried deeply beneath rubble, and the bridge connecting Tokomaru Bay and Waima was made dangerous for motor-cars. Several slips came down over the road to Waima, where Bluff Hill slipped heavily, flattening fences, destroying sheds, and smashing its way into four houses situated at the foot. A Maori, Wi Paraki, was fortunate to escape when his whare was washed to sea. Roadmen in camps hurriedly left their beds and sought safety. The streams to-day were carrying ladders, gates, trees and driftwood to the coast, where the Maoris collected a supply of firewood sufficient for many months. The Makomako station swing bridge, which was 20ft. above the normal water level, was swept away, isolating settlers in the vicinity. Many similar bridges have been destroyed. Many slips occurred on hillsides throughout the district. Stock was marooned by the rising waters and it was impossible for the settlers to estimate their losses.

Altogether 12.10 in. of rain was recorded at Waima for at 9 a.m. to-day, and 18.65 in. had fallen since Tuesday. To-day was fine and the seas were moderate. No mails or service cars were expected to get through to-day.

WAIKATO RIVER RISES MOTORISTS MOVE CAMP [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday A further rise of a foot in the level of the Waikato River, a result of heavy rain on the southern watershed, forced a number of campers at the Hamilton motor camp to move to higher positions on the road on Friday night in order to avoid being flooded out. During the 24 hours ended at 9 o'clock yesterday morning, 1.02 in. of rain fell in Hamilton, bringing the total for the month to 7.62 in., one of the largest falls ever recorded in Hamilton for February. There was bright sunshine during the greater part of yesterday.