HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1933, Page 10

HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

RIVER LEVELS FALLING.

FARMS STILL INUNDATED.

Napier, May 31.

The flood levels of the • rivers are steadily, decreasing as a result of'the easing off in . the rain, which is now confined to occasional, showers. However, the water left by the rivers when they broke they banks is still deep over the lower areas/ particularly at Meeanee, where about 1500 acres are still inundated. . • ' One of the most remarkable features of the flood is the fact that Meeanee suffered so severely, although the river channel which gave such trouble was carrying only about one-fifth of the total flood water. An exceptionally large volume of water passed down the overflow channel, the course by which the river will be taken to the sea when the diversion proposal now in hand is completed. : Although a fair quantity of water is still flowing into the old channel a noticeable shoal is forming across the entrance, and with another small fall in the river level the flow to Meeanee will be cut off. Little work would then be required to seal the river off the old course, which would prevent further flood water escaping through various breaks over the farm lands of Meeanee and Papakura. ' In the meantime the level of flood water over a great expanse of .country stretching from Meeanee toward Taradale remains practically the same. At Brookfield’s, Bridge the southern approach has | been washed away and now a deep stream is swirling through a gap which is fully 40ft. wide. Before the bridge can be made available for traffic an additional span will have to be erected. . Although two dams on the Taradale Road were cut yesterday morning to provide' aii outlet for water that covered Meeanee no improvement had resulted up to this afternoon. Settlers are being obliged to use boats in order to get from their homes to the township. Although a great deal of muddy and silt-laden water flowed into the inner harbour, the siltation there has not been as serious' as was the case last year. Soundings have been made by the Napier Harbour Board and as far as can be ascertained the siltation varies from one to four feet. The portion most affected is in the channel leading to the Iron Pot,, and the Kiritona became stranded, there for about two hours yesterday afternoon. Efforts to tow her off the mud then.succeeded. '