RAIN DAMAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24735, 11 October 1941, Page 10

RAIN DAMAGE

WELLINGTON AGAIN AFFECTED FLOODING AND LAND SLIPS DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. Although only 10 days of the present month have elapsed it is already the second wettest on record. A further 1.49 inches last night brought the total to 8.73, which is in excess of all records except that of October, 1904, when the total was 12.94. The recurrence of heavy rain has greatly aggravated the position in regard to slips in and about Wellington, and the flooding extends over a much wider area than last week, with further interruptions to road and rail traffic. Slips between Plimmerton and Paekakariki yesterday necessitated the 3 p.m. express to Auckland going via Wairarapa, but the line was temporarily cleared for the limited in the evening, and it travelled the usual route. Passengers from New Plymouth and Napier were transferred from these expresses at Paekakariki and brought on to Wellington in buses. Slip on Main Highway

The latest large slip is on the new main highway at Pukerua Bay, between Plimmerton and Paekakariki. The slip took with it the footpath and handrail on the seaward side. It extends right down the long slope into the sea, with a .threat, of. complete interruption of the'highway, and consideration is being given .to clearing slips on the highway over the. hill, so that this route may be available in the event of the coast road having to be closed. A host of problems have all the official and engineering staffs affected busily occupied over a wide area. The difficulties have arisen mainly because of the renewed movement of last week’s slides. Threat to Oil Stores The weather is now clearing. Though no new slips of a serious nature occurred to-day, there is a threat of very serious trouble in the movement of the hillside, at the back of the large oil stores fronting the Hutt road, near Thorndon. where a large quantity of material is threatening to come down. It is reported that the- Vacuum Company has evacuated some of its staff, leaving others to watch developments. ANOTHER WET FRIDAY TWENTY-EIGHTH IN SUCCESSION (P.A.) WANGANUI, Oct. 10. “Rain Day” lived up to its name in Wanganui to-day, making the twenty-eighth successive Friday on which rain has fallen in Wanganui. AUCKLAND RAINFALL (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Oct. 10. For the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. the rainfall in Auckland was I.7in. which is nearly half the monthly average for October.