SECOND EDITION FLOOD INVADES TOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1935, Page 5

SECOND EDITION FLOOD INVADES TOWN

SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS HUATOKI AREA UNDER WATER SHOP STOCKS FLOATING ON TIDE CARRYING accumulated floodwater from a series pf cloudbursts over the town area of New „ Plymouth and in surrounding districts last night, between 1 and 2 o’clock this morning the Huatoki River rose 15 to 20 feet and, banking against the concrete back walls of Devon Street buildings, flooded a portion of the main business area of the town four feet deep in rushing water. Loss of stock and damage to the buildings, themselves will probably amount to thousands of pounds. At £.30 a.m. stock was floating in the streets, basements were filled to the ceiling and footpath and road formations were breaking up. At one time it seemed doubtful that the walls and foundations of the buildings would stand the strain of the flood. Premises affected most seriously are: May’s, Ltd., bakers, C. Berg, tobacconist, Hallenstein Bros., Ltd., Weston, Ball and Grayling, Gilbert and Cq., McGruer, Bone and Co., the Daily News, Therkleson, W. Roberts, Miss L, Collie, Arnold George, Deans, Innes, Kingsways, Gibson’s Motors, Booth, McDonald, Fitzroy Quarries, Taupiri Coal, Hardwick and Robertsons, White’s, Ltd., and Wilson’s Hardware. * Four fept of water swept through the Devon and Brougham Street intersections when doors and windows of buildings on the south side of Devon, Street burst with the weight of banked-up water. Behind the Daily News building the water was in all probability upwards of 30 feet deep before it found outlet. Apparently the most severe sufferers were Hallenstein’s and Weston, Ball and Grayling. The sound of the flooded river, roaring and crashing beneath the buildings, was alarming in the extreme. ■ - ' ' ‘ Devon Street presented a remarkable spectacle immediately after the sudden rise, with a yellow tide rushing seaward in the night. Investigators waded waist-deep in places. Portion of Messrs. Weston, Ball and Grayling’s library of valuable legal text books was saved by the timely arrival of Mr. H. Weston. When doors facing east were opened solid jets of water six feet high were projected far into the . street. The Royal Hotel was flooded out. Four girls were rescued by Messrs. Savage and Cobblestone in a shocked condition. The. girls’ cries were heard by the rescuers, who found them in a terrified condition in their bedroom at the rear of the hotel. The water was more than thigh deep and they were apparently afraid that they had been trapped by the raging water. They were carried upstairs to a. place of safety. Most of their personal effects were ruined by the water, but a certain amount was saved. The latest business premises to be reported flooded wts Messrs. George and Doughty’s shop on the northern side of Devon Street central. This was caused by the Mangaotuku stream in high flood. Probably other premises ,in the vicinity were damaged likewise. The flood at 2.55 a.m. was reported to be still rising. Water was then up to the thighs of those in the street in places.