HEAVY RAINFALL

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1933, Page 6

HEAVY RAINFALL

WHOLE OF TARANAKI AFFECTED. OVER TWO INCHES IN 13 HOURS. The whole of the Taranaki province experienced very heavy rain throughout yesterday. The fall was heavy at times and almost continuous. The gauge at the New Plymouth waterworks showed .49 inches from 9 o'clock on Sunday morning until 9 o’clock yesterday morning, but from then until 10 p.m. last night the instrument showed 2.19 inches, which is exceptionally heavy.* All the rivers were in flood and the warm rain, has melted much of the snow off x the mountain. , Inquiries from the borough electrical engineer, Mr. W. H. Huggett, regarding the Waiwakaiho Rover, showed that the river had risen 14ft at the intake at 3 p.m. This is the third highest recorded in the last five years. The water commenced to drop soon after and had receded considerably by 5 pan. All the coastal rivers between New Plymouth and Opunake were in heavy flood as the result of the rains yesterday. The Stony River was a raging torrent and presented a fine sight At one stage the Waiweranui Stream at Warea threatened to flow over the main road. At Opunake rain fell all day and the rivers were running very high. A fall of an inch and a quarter of rain occurred at Hawera.

After the heavy rain on Sunday night and all day yesterday, streams in Central and Eastern Taranaki carried many times their ordinary amount of water. Viewed from Victoria Bridge, Stratford, the Patea was an inspiring spectacle as it dashed its turbulent waters against the piers of the railway bridge. The water easily covered the big boulders which usually stand anything up to four feet above water level. Yesterday only vicious eddies and spouting spume indicated their existence beneath the surface. Pastures were temporarily flooded. Yesterday was also the opening of the shooting season but guns were oiled in rain, for none ventured forth.