WILD WEATHER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 4

WILD WEATHER

HEAVY BAIN ON EAST COAST HAWKE'S BAT EIVEES FLOODED NO COMMUNICATION WITS GISBOENE. From the fact that there was no com* munication possible with Gisborne during the whole of yesterday it is to be feared the flood threatening that town, and district j ust before the telegraph office closed on AVodne&day night has been experinced. t>y Press Association telegram :—Exceptionally heavy rain has been falling almost continually for twenty-four hours, and fear of flood is entertained. Lowlying parts of the district are already: under water, and the rivers are reported to be rising fast. Some of the town streets are a sea of water. The Central River Board, constituted" under the Act passed last session, was elected yesterday, and it looks as if it will soon have an object-lesson of the need for united action. Hastings reported s—lt* is raining heavily, and the low-lying portions of the town are flooded with surface water.. Up-country reports state; "Rivers rising iapldiy." . The following message was received from Wairoa: —A heavy south-westerly gale blew yesterday and last night with much rain. Rivers are in heavy flood. Over six inches of rain fell in twentyfour hours. No heavy damage yet reported, but several small slips and washouts have occurred on the. roads. The coach to Morere was unable to get through. The Pateena, which arrived at Wellington at 11 o'clock last night from Netson and Picton, had a rouge, passage, and frequently shipped heavy water. At S p.m. the steamers Flora and BaJmnoa, and a fore-and-aft schooner, wore sighted sheltering under Long Island.