DELUGE AT WAIHI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23840, 16 December 1940, Page 6

DELUGE AT WAIHI

MANY SHOPS FLOODED MOTOR-CARS STRANDED DAMAGE TO FRUIT AND HAY [FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT] WAIHI, Sunday Accompanied by thunder and lightning, the heaviest downpour for many years was experienced in A\aihi and surrounding districts yesterday. Many of the shops on the northern side of Seddon Street were invaded by the flood waters, in some cases to a depth of four inches. Cars in the main street caught in the deluge were stranded, and nearly all streets in the town were flooded. The evening train from Waihi to Katikati was cancelled and lclt this morning. Gardens suffered extensively and crops of young, fruit were destroyed. Hay crops which were practically ready for cutting were, also lost. At Katikati the storm was very violent. At Collins' kauri mill 400 logs were washed into the Bowentown Estuary and this morning could be seen lying in the mud. Water entered the temporary post office to a depth of six inches, and shops also suffered. It is reported that a small number of livestock were lost. FALLS IN THE CITY AN ELECTRICAL STORM RAIN AND SUN ALTERNATE NORTH SHORE TANKS REFILLED Several heavy falls of rain, a few of which reached almost tropical intensity and were accompanied by an electrical storm, broke over the city and suburbs during Saturday. In the early hours of the morning a drenching downpour fell over a wide area. Brilliant sunshine prevailed in the forenoon, but shortly before mid-day another heavy fall occurred and cricket matches and other sports fixtures were delayed for fully an hour. The weather was a mixture of rain and sunshine throughout the afternoon. A rainstorm swept over the Wa item at a Harbour and the eastern and southern suburbs and lighter falls were experienced in other districts, while the centre of the city and some localities revelled in unbroken sunshine. Play in cricket matches at Eden Park and the Domain and bowling and tennis games in the city and inner suburbs were completed, but similar fixtures at Otahuhu and districts east and south of that locality had to be abandoned. Conditions were more settled in the city yesterday and only isolated showers fell. The overcast sky made for cooler temperatures and this, with the threat of rain, was reflected in the smaller attendances at beach resorts. The rain was generally welcomed in spite of its interference with the outdoor activities and will prove a boon to gardens and pastures. It was especially appreciated by residents in. the North Shore district, who are dependent upon tank supplies for domestic purposes. In most of the districts the fall was sufficient to replenish, if not completely fill, household tanks. HAMILTON DOWNPOUR SPORTS ABANDONED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday The dry spell in Hamilton for the last two weeks ended abruptly yesterday, when a heavy thunderstorm began at noon and continued throughout the afternoon. Dark clouds had been gathering during the morning and several light showers had fallen, but it did not rain heavily until the. afternoon. In many places in the main street the pavements were flooded and the rain caused great inconvenience to those who were just leaving their places of business. All sports meetings planned for the afternoon had to be abandoned.

FLOODING IN HASTINGS CROPS AND PASTURES BENEFIT [by telegraph—own correspondent] HASTINGS, Sunday A heavy downpour following a dry spoil fell at Hastings from fairly early in the morning until shortly after noon on Saturday and caused a certain amount of flooding in the main street and other parts of the business area. There was slight damage caused and several cars were affected by water in their engines. Hay-making and shearing, which were in full swing m this district, were delayed by the rain, but crops and pastures will benefit immeasurably from the downpour.