RISING RIVERS CAUSE HAVOC

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13173, 4 February 1936, Page 5

RISING RIVERS CAUSE HAVOC

ENORMOUS LOSSES TO STOCK Jt ~ FOUR DEATHS, OTHERS MISSING

Disastrous floods following: Sunday’s cyclonic storm have added to the havoc caused by the unseasonable visitation. From all over the North Island come reports of serious damage and stock losses, and each day adds to the sum of the loss suffered. The Manawatu river rising with alarming rapidity reached one of the highest levels in its history and the low-ljing country along its banks is experiencing one of the worst floods for many years. Four, more fatalities are recorded to-day. The Tararuas have claimed another victim, one of Palmerston North’s most highly respected young business, men having lost his life. Two deaths near Masterton and one in the Auckland province increase the storm’s toll of life, while it is feared a, father and son have been lost in a launch at New Plymouth.

THE MANAWATU FLOODS. A double disaster has befallen the farmers occupying lands in the lowlying area below Tiakitahuna, floods following upon the hurricane which swept the district on Sunday. The Manawatu river came up with sensational suddenness. All telephonic communication was cut off with the city and its river gauge consequently the height of the river at the Fitzherhert bridge could not he ascertained. It was just before daybreak that the river flrst started to flow into the Pangitane depression through the gap that has been left in the newly-constructed stop banks. Then it commenced to flow over the top of the new hank at Morby’s and finally gouged out a gap of about 1\ chains in width to pour through in a torrent. The old watercourses were soon tilled and houses and milking sheds became isedated in quick succession. From Buchanan's the flood spread •over Bnick’s and went on through Di ivies' to the in;, in Foxt on-Palmer oton North road which was soon impassable. Tn places * it is feet deep and lower down near Pangitane is going oxer the railway line into the Tainui basin which is also a. sea of w^ter. Ufaere is greater danger of the stop-banks giving way with a sustained flood End the fact that the river kept at a high level for so many hours, caused added anxiety for those living under the danger points. Idle peak was reached about 9 a.m. when the gauge at the Fitzherbert bridge read 15ft 9ins. and this level was held for about three hours. In the early afternoon there was a drop of a few ‘inches and then the fall became more noticeable till at 9 p.m. last night it was down to 1 1 feet. Along the Ngawapurua- the river ran over the banks on the right hand side and backed up on the low-lying country, but n,s far as >s known no serious loss of stock was sustained. MAROONED IN THE MANAWATU SETTLER'S LUCKY ESCAPE. During the height of the storm of Sunday, a Raukawa settler named Michael McCool was isolated on an island in the Manawatu River whence he had gone to look over some stock. As the flood had come up with suddenness, grave fears were entertained for his safety, and Constable Fischer, of Ash hurst, organised a fescue party, which yesterday morning was successful in reaching McC 001. Constable FLsvber, interviewed by a Herald reporter vesterday, said M< ( 00l had been seen on the island j by a. neighbour named T’ait, who • •ailed out to the former not to make ;iny attempt to leave, and that they would procure a boat .to bring him "»ff. Meanwhile, a fire was lit on the bank of the river to encourage the -tranded settler, and Constable Fischer at length succeeded in bringing a boat’ loaned from PalTerston North by the Manawatu River Board. Early yesterday morning a party la l iners assisted to carry the boat to the river and Mr Arthur Kennedy, a deft oarsman, soon propelled it into the swirling waters, • xentually making the rapidly diminishing island where McCool was waiting anxiously, drenched to the skin. McCool had once tried to make a break lor the shore but became entangled in the willows, so wisely gave it up. His refuge had diminish'd in area with awesome steadiness as the flood waters crept ever-in-vvards on his island, and he had for companions his horse, a dog, a cat f which had evidently gone ovo/r in search of rabbits), a hare, rabbit and hedgehog. He was unable to light a fire ns there was nothing dry on the small island. Had the night seen a repetition of the afternoon s storm it is doubtful whether McCool would have survived, and his wife and children were overjoyed when the party made their way back to the house yesterday morning. *LA R A N A KI F jA UNCH M ISSTNG. Telegraph- Press Association PLYMOUTH, Last Night. Little hope remains of rescuing dive the crow of the launch Mokau ■which has l>een missing since Saturday night’s storm with the owner,

McLeod, and his son, Angus McLeod, aboard. A seaplane from Hobsonxille base and a VickarsVildebeste bomber were engaged in a search of the sea north and south of New Plymouth but no trace of the missing crajft was seen. AUCKLAND GETS IT. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Widespread damage was caused by the cyclonic storm which swept the Auckland piovince on Saturday night and yesterday. Telephone, telegraph and power services were interrupted, roads and railways were blocked by slips and in some areas heavy floods caused great damage. The heavy rain on Saturday was followed by tempestuous conditions during which the wind veered from east to blow a full gale from the west. At the height of the storm yesterday the barometer fell to the exceptionally low reading of 28. SS. On the Auckland waterfront about 40 small craft were either badly damaged or piled up into wreckage, while tlieire was also heavy damage on the Manukau where the full effect O': the gale was felt when the wind changed. In suburban Auckland there were many instances of roofs being stripped, trees blown down and devastation of orchards. The storm caused the general isolation of many country districts, but to-day communication was partially restored and there began to filter through stories of great devastation and general loss. Every corner in the province suffered. Kaitaia, Wliangarei, Paeroa and Thames haxe suffered heavily as the result of floods. All communications with North Auckland were interrupted yesterday and roads and railway are not expected to lie clear for some days. Oil the Hauraki plains and north Auckland dairy stock and sheep were drowned. There is hardly a street in the city and suburbs that does not bear evidence of the storm.

ROTORUA LOSES OLD CHURCH. ROTORUA, Last Night. The severest storm experienced in the memory of old residents raged throughout Saturday night and early yesterday, causing severe havoc* in various parts of the district, including the demolition of the original Maori church at Ohinemutu which is one of the few remaining rolic-s of former missionary days. For 24 hours preceding 9 a.m. yesterday over six inches of rain were registered and throughout the night houses rocked on their foundations and the power supply was cut off by damage done to the lines fry falling trees. The old Maori church was demolished at the height of the gale about 4 a.m., when the walls cax-ed in with a resounding crash. At Tarewa, near Ohinemutu collage, Hie water swirled through a house from xvhicb the furniture had been hastily removed, while at Ngongotah.-t the stream rose about 15 feet, partly submerging several small outhouses, and although the water did i.ot reach the floor level of one house which was on a high foundation, the occupants were isolated throughout thi‘ day. The weather has now cleared and to-day there were indications definite of an improvement. LOSSES IN MASTERTON. M ASTER TON. Last Night in bright, warm sunshine Wairarapa residents to-day surveyed the widespread damage resulting from Sunday's storm Jn and around Mattel ton the rivers had fallen considerably by this afternoon, while much of the surface water had disappeared. Slips and washouts, however, rendered many back country roads, particularly towards tin*■ cast coast impassable It is antioiptaed that in seme eases it will take a week or two to clear the debris. About twenty Masterton families are isolated at ('a..tlepoilit a. popular seaside resort as foui-teon miles of the road from Castlepoint* to Masterton is unnegotiablo even to horses, and it will be necessary to pack foodstuffs across country. The fears entertained by Lower Valley settlers of a serious flood were realised today, when the waters from the swollen northern rivers reached tin* low-lying country around Lake Wairarapa. The lake was rising

steadily today but- fortunately the outlet at the lake ferry is still open, allowing the waters to run freely The settlers had sufficient warning and it is not anticipated that there will be any serious stock lasses. A serious flood in January or February is almost unprecedented in South Wairarapa. To date for this financial year the Masterton County Council has already spent £3OOO repairing damage to roads as a result of floods and heavy rain, and is now faced with further heavy expenditure, the bridge on the Languale road having collapsed and several roads are blocked.

DESOLATION IN THAMES. THAMES, Sunday. The worst flood for many years in Thames caused thousands of pounds of damage between two and three o’clock this morning, when the flood waters of Karaka creek which flows through the centre of the town swept the northern Pollen street and Grahamstow n areas, as a result ot phenomenal rain, six inches in 24 hours accompanying the cyclonic storm.

The majority of the business people were warned in time to remove goods from the floor levels, but tlae property damage is considerable. Many residents jumped out of bed only to find themselves in a swirling torrent with household goods floating around .or carried away in the flood.

The worst sufferers were the hotelkeepers in this area, particularly the Junction Hotel which caught the main force of the overflow from the Karaka creek, also the Queen’s and Park hotels. To-day they were occupied in pumping the cellars and cleaning the channels while the shopkeepers affected were busy rendering tlieir premises fit for business.

Braemar private hospital near the mouth of the Karaka creek was swept by nearly two feet of water with extensive damage and loss of utensils.

The Presbyterian Church, lawns and gardens jidjacent to the blockage in the Karaka were the scene of ruin. They were swept bare and piled with rocks, silt and driftwood .

At the southern entrance to the town the Kaucrnga river is in very high flood and isolated Thames for several hours. Fencing and stock were swept away and the losses were heavy throughout the Kauarenga vallev.

Big logs gave fishermen a most anxious time protecting their fleet. A mile expanse oi swirling waters swept across Parawai flats several feet deep. Rhodes park sports ground is like a lake.

I’he b oar o ugh water race, the sole supply from several miles of the Upper Kauranga, is again blocked up by a slip in the cutting which after a serious stoppage about three years ago was replaced by ail open flumint; of conduit. It is estimated it will be a week before the supply is restored to the town. Meantime there is no water for power purposes and probably a domestic shortage.

The police are advised that an elderly miner named George Webster, about 16 miles north along the coast, was buried in his shack by a. slip. Thames Valley centres suffered heavily. The residents of the northern approach to Paeroa in the vicinity of Puke bridge over the Waihrm rixer were rescued from the root tops by boats. Stock losses are severe. The Hauraki Plains appears to have escaped severe flooding. R ESI O RING SERVICES. Last Night. Although then* is scarcely a telegraph route in the North Island which has not been affected by the gale, hopes are entertained by the Post and Telegraph Department that the delay in communication tomorrow xxill not be- appreciable. An official said to-night that Wellington had been able to get into communication with all the principal towns in the North Island. Temporary repairs had been effected, he said, but the permanent repairs would take some days. Wellington was working on four outlets to Auckland, two xia the* East ('oast, and it was hoped to obtain additionad outlets- to Auckland early to-mor-row n loaning. WORST IN LIVING MEMORY. AUCKLANT), Last Night. As the result ol the dislocation of ihe means df communication it is difiicu!t to obtain accurate information of the flood damage in Northland, but it is clear that the flooding in many parts is the worst in fixing memory. The railways are badly damaged and services are at a standstill to-day. Bridges haxe been washed away in sex* era 1 places and large wash-outs in some places affecting many chains of line have occurred.

Sixty passengers from the express were? marooned between Otiria and Kaikohe on Saturday night which was spent in the carriages. Last night they weire billeted by private people. A bridge which carried away at "VV haka.para, fifteen miles north of V hangarei, will, it is believed, stop rail, traffic' northwards for several da vs.

Traffic to Auckland is uninterrupted thougfi a> train was held up temporarily near Tahekeroa. Campers on the east coast had terrifying experiences, their tents being blown away while slips prex ented their return to their homes.

A launch had to be employed to bring teachers and others who were holidaying down the Wliangarei harbour, where the wind was so fierce at one spot that the seaside cottages were carried axvay. Veil*} serious damage has been done to roads and highways on which in many places extensive slips haxe taken place, while numerous bridges are destroyed.

A very heavy expenditure is anticipated m restoring the storm damage. At Waitangi the water rose between seven and eight feet in 20 minutes.

Eight men who were sleeping on tin- floor oi the Tung Oil Company s cookhouse hurriedly took refuge on the roou but when the structure began to move they clambered into a tree overhanging the cookhouse xChicli was later carried away by the flood. No train from Auckland reached Wliangarei since Saturday.

SAVED FROM SEA. A UCKI .A Nil, I.a s t X ight. Five men and three girls had a narrow escape from drowning early on Sunday morning xx lien the 28it. mullet boat Twilight and the launch Wainui were caught in the southwest gale during the week-end and hurled high and dry on the rocks near the beacon on Rangitoto Island. The crew of the Twilight, W . H Howell and W. C’ustis, were washed out of the cockpit of thenboat and xx ere bruised and cut through being flung against the recks by the huge waxes. One of the three girls on the Wainui had her ribs bruised through being jammed between the side ot the launch and its dinghy xviien she was swept overboard. but luckily slie and her companions were carried by the xx ax es through a narrow gap m the rocks into deep xvater and escaped serious injury, although one of the party had her arm badly lacerated. The three men on the launch were not so fortunate and received both bruises and cuts. The launch was badly battered and is reported to be a complete wreck.

OR CHARD I STS FARE BADLY. AUC KLAND, Last Night. Enormous damage was caused to orchards in the Henderson and Him pi districts and at Te Kauxvliata, Waikato, by the gale on Sunday. Hundreds oi trees were uprooted or bent almost to horizontal and thousands of bushels of . fruit were, littered upon the ground. The extent of the loss cannot be estimated at present, but it is stated that a number of farmers are practically mined. Most of the badly affected orchards at Henderson and Gratia report that 90 per cent, of their fruit, mostly apples and pears, lias been shaken down, xx Idle the general average throughout all the districts is con-

sidered to approach 50 per cent. Nearly all this fruit is a total loss, for it is not matured enough to be sold even as 4 'windfalls.'’ Individual orchardists claim that the destruction of trees and crops has cost them sums ranging from £2OO to £SOO. AT AWAPUXI RACECOURSE.

Recognised as one of the show places of New Zealand. let alone Palmerston North and district, the beautiful Awapuni racecourse is now a. place of chaos. Gone are the roofs of the main and outside stands : other buildings have been bashed into matchwood ; trees have been uprooted everywhere, and those that survived the storm have 4 been stripped of foliage as if by a gigantic hand. The flying iron and timber has ripped great scars in the velvety lawns and the glorious gardens which area so proudly cared for have been devastated. There is debris everywhere and the scene beggars description. It is not possible yet to ascertain the extent of the damage done at Awapuni, but one conservative estimate places it at between £3OOO and £SOOO.

The great main stand, which, shorn of its loot. now resembles part of an open-air stadium. The hurricane appears to have caught this building xvith its maximum force, for the immense roof was flicked off so cleanly that it might have boon done with a gigantic knife. The roof must have boon taken off with terrific force, for it travelled oxer one hundred yards before* ii crashed to rest in the lagoon beyond the drive, n transit it cleanly sheared the tops off the higher trees and in dipping towards the lagoon it flattened some big trees which happened to be in the lino of flight.