HEAVY RAINFALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16121, 9 May 1923, Page 2

HEAVY RAINFALL.

WAIPAOA RIVER RISING

COASTAL RIVERS HEAVILY FLOODED.

Heavy rain was experienced last evening, several showers of almost tropical volume occurring during the night. It is in the country district, however, that the rain has been steadiest, and where the effects have been greatest. Mr. Ludbrook recorded a. fall in town of 86 points, Mr. Appleton at Te Karaka recorded 1.17, and reports from the Coast indicate that particularly heavy rain has flooded the rivers, and interrupted communications on the northern end. ' '•

At Te. Karaka, rain set in heavily, at about 11 o'clock last night, and : firmed interruptedly throughout, the night. Reports from the three valleys drained by the Waipaoa river were to the effect that in the".. Mangatu' and Wharekopao valleys heavy rain fell during the night, bitt only moderate showers had fallen in the Waikohu valley. The Waipaoa river commenced to rise late last night, and at nine o'clock this morning had altered its level by several feet. As yet, however, there was no cause for alarm. -~ ' WAIAPU IN FLOOD.

POLLING DAY DIFFICULTIES

■' 'Special to ttie Herald.) .RUATOREA, this day. To-day is polling day in the- county elections, and! the conditions on the Coast are such that difficulty is being experienced by many voters in reaching the booths. The Waiapu river is very high, though so far the level of: the last Hood has not been reached. Four inches of rain has fallen at Ruatorea in past four days, and! last night a particularly heavy storm visited l the district. Torrential rain fell for ' come time, while- lightning flashed and. thunder roared. The. rain gauge registered 1.70 inches during the night. -' Car traffic above Waipiro Bay is riw# pended. The Mata river, which joins the Tapuwaeroa and forms the Waiapu, is unfordable, and all the creeks ar« 'filled to the brim. There are "at present no signs of. clearing up, although to-day the downpour had abated. The Tapuwaeroa river is still fordable, Mr. K. S. Williams having ridden across.it 'to record his vote at Ludbraok's homestead, which is the only polling booth accessible l to a large number of - settlers. Tho conditions recall those whieh obtained at the time of the by-election at which Mr. K. S. Williams- was elected) to represent the:'Bay of. Plenty. The Waiapui is unfordable at Tikitiki, and) the Kai-inariga, is completely blocked-. At this point, as all travellers On the Coast are aware, the road has been taken through the river bed, owing to- the> impossibility of' maintaining at road on the hillside'. The flood' waters have covered the road to a considierabla depth, and! this morning a traveller who wished to recah Ruatorea from Waiomatatini had' to send! his horse back from Kai-inanga, and traverse the hill on foot. The Ruatorea hotel was entered last ' night by the waters of a normally small stream which runs down the hill close to the hotel. The creek was in high Hood, and brought down a considerable quantity of spoil, which it deposited on the flat above the hotel. '• ' '■:'■•

1 Damage to the bridge work ati Rotokautuku is not anticipated;, 'as the work is at a stagei - where only the heaviest flood could affect it.-. .