NELSON PROVINCE FLOOD

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1929, Page 9

NELSON PROVINCE FLOOD

EARTHQUAKE, GALE AND RAIN. MOTUEKA FAMILIES AFFECTED. By Tele-grapli—Press Association. Nelson, July 8. On Saturday evening and yesterday Motueka and surrounding districts of Riwaka and Lower Montero experienced one of the largest floods for many years. Saturday night was a night long to be remembered. The peace of mind of many was upset by a rather severe earthquake shortly after G o’clock. During the evening a strong breeze, freshening to a gale, sprang up, bringing incessant rain. At 9.30, owing to the quantity of water about, it was thought advisable to close the powerhouse. At daylight on Sunday morning most of tho northern a-nd western sections of the borough were badly flooded. Several families in the Wakarewa district and in the low-lying areas were forced to vacate their homes until the flood receded. zAbout 100 telephone subscribers lost communication with the office. The rain caused a large slip on the Takaka hills, at the two-mile peg from Riwaka.

The Moutere and Riwaka districts also suffered considerably, and a pier in the railway bridge was given a slight cant. Passengers for Glenhopo this morning transferred to a train on the other side. It was hoped to effect temporary repairs by this evening. A slip on the south end of the Kohatu tunnel was cleared in time for the train to pass. The country and line are under water for long distances, but it is mostly surface water, and no further serious damage is reported. Another slip came down on the Glenhope-Murehison Road, but was washed clear to allow service cars to pass this afternoon.