STORM AND FLOODS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3256, 13 October 1897, Page 2

STORM AND FLOODS.

Special to the New Zealand Tiauec-. Palmerston North, October 12. The coutiuuuUd heavy raiufull for the last *lB hours has caused an unusual accumulation of water on all the low-lying ground—mo r e so than during the Raster floois. At an early hour this morning the Kangitikei line, in the vicinity of ■ the Travellers* Rest Hotel; was submerged for a considerable distance. When the Foxtou train arrived this forenoon it was learnt that there was more water between Oroua bridge and Karero than bad been experienced since the heavy floods when communication by rail was cut tff altogether, and doubts are expressed as to whether the train will be able to

reach Foxton this evening. The trains from Uannevirke and Wanganui did not arrive till between 1 and 2 p.m, t tho express trains to New Plymouth and Napier leaving, however, at the usual time, crossing in the one case at Halcombe and in the other at Ashurst. Many of the culverts in the torough proved altogether incapable of the strain imposed upon them, considerable. areas being flooded in consequence. At the corner, of College and Linton streets the roadway had to be opened up right across to allow the storm water to escape. At 3 p.m, the Manawatu was in ’pretty high flood, and apparently rising, and should a heavy volume of water como down, fears are entertained for the safety of the" bridge, which, it is known, is in a rather precarious state, several of tho piles forming the piers being believed to be almost scoured out. At, the Sports Association's ground there was a depth of 2ft in places inside the cycling track, and the custodian took the precaution to cut four channels through the track to allow the pent-up water to escape. It is not surmised that any serious damage has been done. There is a very largo accumulation of flood - water in many parts of Hokowhitu, more than has be'en seen there .for many years. It will bo a very costly undertaking to relieve the Hokowhitu of the water now covering a large extent of it. At 3 p.m. a storm of great violence passed over the district, accompanied by phenomenally heavy rain. At the timo of writing there is little prospect of the weather clearing up, tho wind still blowing half a gate. During tho last two days fully three inches of rain has fallen. Several residents of • Rangitikei line had to leavo their, dwellings this morning, through the water flooding- .their houses. The streams in Pitzherbert aro aIV flooded, and the district roads have suffered considerable damage. The Cliff road is practically impassable through heavy slips, the approaches to the bridge having also subsided. It is stated that on No. 4 line, Fitzherbert, the damage has been very serious, much work that had lately been done having been all carried away. A great deal of timber is coming down the Manawatu river. Both trains reached Palmerston this evening in time to connect with the train for Wellington* .* The weather continues exceedingly boisterous, heavy rain squalls being almost continuous.