DAMAGE BY FLOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1924, Page 10

DAMAGE BY FLOODS.

STORM IN WAIRARAPA, .

ROADS AND RAILWAYS BLOCKED. RIVERS OVERFLOW BANKS'. By Telegraph—Press Association. Carterton, Dec. 19. Cloudburst* occurred in various parts of the district last night, preceded by the most violent thunderstorm experienced for year*. At about 2.30 a.m. water from the two northern creeks converged and ran through the town, flooding various dwellings and one or two shops. Farms in the low-lying districts of Dalefield, Belvedere and Matarawa were inundated and the road thereto became impassable. At Kourarau electric power-house the flood caused a cut-off at 9 p.m., and later the weight of water behind the unfinished dam caused the whole to wash away and the power-house was again badly flooded. It is possible there will be no power for three or four days. On the railway line between Carterton and Woodside there were three washouts. There are no trains to-day, but it is expected that after five or six hours the time-table will be resumed. Road traffic is very considerably hampered and on the Rimutaka Hill there i* a grea-t wash-out 100 feet wide near the motor bridge and traffic is entirely suspended. The Ruamahunga at Papawai overflowed and the country is badly flooded. Losse* of stock are reported. At Kahutara the water was just up the river •banks and breaking over. The .settlers were all warned by telephone, and though a record flood is expected it is not anticipated that stock losses will occur, though damage to fences- is bound to take place. The rain has ceased for the time being, but -the weather is still threatening.

SLIPS ON THE ROAD. DAM BURSTS AT MASTERTON. Masterton, Last Night. Considerable damage was done to many houses by flood water. Reports from outlying portion* of the district show that roads are blocked by slips, and considerable loss of sheep is feared in the back-blocks. The bursting of the Lansdowne dam renders that suburb short of water. An epidemic of sicknees is feared through the destruction of the dam if a spell of hot weather comes. The rain has now ceased, but portions of the town are still under water. Considerable damage has been done byflood water in a number of shops. During the past 24 hours seven inches of rain fell in Masterton and nearly nine inches in two days. HEAVY RAIN IN WELLINGTON. RAILWAY ENGINE DERAILED. Wellington, Dee. 19. Wellington city and country districts were visited by a strong gale, and heavy rainfall last night. Slips are reported on the railway lines in several places, including one near Paekakariki, about 30 miles from Wellington. The engine of a good* train was derailed by a slip, and traffic temporarily disorganised. Passengers by incoming trains were being transferred at the scene of the slip aiid would reach Wellington before noon. The steamer Ngaio for Nelson was unable to negotiate the Head* and returned to the wharf. She will make another effort this evening.

The street* in the city and suburbs are flooded in places. At Muritai and Rona Bay the water was banked up and flooded through many houses. Several electric power poles were ■undermined and brought down. At Karori two pine trees fell across the tram line disorganizing the traffic. They also broke the electric light wires.

At the Hutt the river is in high flood and some damage has been done.

FERRY STEAMER DELAYED.

Christchurch, Dec. 19. The ferry steamer Maori, with 530 ■passengers, encountered a rough trip and arrived at Lyttelton an hour late. There were heavy seas in Cook Strait. SNOW IN MARLBOROUGH. VESSEL'S ROUGH PASSAGE. FULL STRENGTH OF GALE. Blenheim, Last Night. Bitterly cold weather and extraordinarily heavy rain are (being experienced throughout Marlborough, the conditions being more reminiscent of mid-winter than Christmas. There is a heavy fall of snow in the back country. Rain and cold, coming in the middle of the liarvesting season, are most 'unwelcome to. farmers, some of whom fear loss of crops or, at least, serious deterioration in values. Shearing operations -have also been seriously interfered with.

The Wainui, which is at present on the Nelson-Wellington service, had an unenviable experience during the voyage from Nelson to Wellington last night, when she was exposed to the full strength of the south-easter. The ship met with tremendous seas and could make no -headway. 'She was ultimately compelled to 'shelter from the weather in Queen Charlotte Sound. At 9.30 this morning, as the ship was not equipped with wireless, Captain Grey put into Pieton where he reported.