WAITARA’S LOSS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 9

WAITARA’S LOSS

NO WATER FOR DAYS ELECTRICITY CUT OFF CENTRE OF BRIDGE GIVES TOWN’S NARROW ESCAPE MAORIS’ REFUGE ON ROOF “Had it not been for the protective apron Of stone on the river bank opposite the old recreation reserve there is no question but that the business area of Waitara would have been swept out to sea.” That opinion, expressed by a prominent Waitara business-man and ex-local body representative yesterday is indicative of many residents ideas of yesterday’s flood. Houses in the area bounded by the bend in the river before the town bridge were swamped to a depth of up to two feet with water thickly charged with clay, as a spring tide banked up thp flood waters shortly before noon. The water invaded the main street, causing damage, however, to only one or two business premises. The scouring of the current caused one of the three solidly built concrete piers of the town bridge to tilt on its foundations, resulting in the iron and bitumen bridge sagging dangerously sideways m th.’ centre. Waitara is without electric light and will be without a water supply for two or three days as a result of damage at the intake. Karaka Flat, further up the river behind the town, was submerged as the tide rose to the highest level since 1915, presenting a lake scores of acres in extent to the view of the motorist descending Big Jim’s Hill from the south.. The family of Wi Toto, a native farming a portion of the flat, was trapped by the waters at the house in the centre of the flooded area and took refuge on the roof. AU were rescued by rowing boat, piloted by Mr. T. G. Fowler, who also assisted Mr. A. W. Johnston to save the majority of his stock grazing on the flat. Two. or three head were drowned. An adjoining farmer, Mr. J. Allen, swam his stock safely to higher ground.

LIKE TIDAL WAVE. The invasion of flood waters in the loop of land worst affected came with the suddenness of a tidal wave, pouring in through gates and garden hedges so quickly that occupants had no opportunity to place furniture and articles of value on tables. In houses close to the river bank rooms were up to three feet deep in water'almost the' consistency of mud and before the flood reached its peak water was lapping the steps of the post office in the main street. Business premises along West Quay were badly affected and, when the river returned to its banks between 2 and 3 p.m., the affected area, inside and outside of buildings, was coated with slimy papa silt to an average depth of 2 to 3 inches. The Bridge Hotel had over two feet of water running through it for over an l hour, and the M.G.M. grocery department was similarly situated, and a large amount of stock was ruined or damaged. The connecting butchery also sustained damage in the low-lying rear portion, where the water was over 3ft. deep. In the back yard there was 6ft. of water. The Masonic Hotel escaped except that the concrete cellar was filled up. The Waitara Hotel was similarly situated. Erceg’s , garage had four inches of water over the floor, and a torrent swept through R. Chew’s garage on West Quay, bursting the doors and carrying much stock and many tools into the river. Gaustad, Marlow and Co.’s building on the comer of West Quay and McLean Street was also inundated, and a certain amount of damage done. Damage was done at Messrs. G. H. Topless and Sons’ blacksmith shop. The rowing club’s sheds were under several feet of water, and about three feet of water covered the floor of the Clifton Hall. The Farmers’ Co-op. shed near by contained several hundred tons of manure, and as far as can be seen about one-third has been ruined. Battered by a number of big pine trees coming down-stream at great speed, and weakened by scouring, the up-river side of the western pier of the Waitara bridge gave way under. the strain, and collapsed, leaving the bridge at that end buckled and listing upstream. No traffic was allowed on the bridge as a result till mid-afternoon, when it was decided to allow light vehicles to cross at their own risk. HOUSES ABANDONED. * Houses near the river in Parris Street, Warre Street, West Quay, Queen Street and Domett Street, including the police station, were flooded to the depth of several feet, and the residents had to abandon them temporarily. Some 30 or 40 families are probably affected, and an appeal for shelter for those who desire it has been issued by the Mayor (Mr. J. Hine). The houses worst affected by silt are those occupied by Messrs. S. Mackie, R. Coe, C. M. Whyte, F. Locke, G. F. Rowe, and Don Telfar and Mrs. W. Sampson (Queen Street), Mrs. W. Callander, Mrs. M. Wylie, Messrs. G. W. Clayton and. J. Nickson and Constable J. Tocher (Parris Street), Messrs. C. H. Sampson, R. Cooper and F. Bennett and Mrs. E. Pepperill (Warre Street).. The gardens and lawns on all these properties have been ruined. Some damage was done to boats moored in the river, two rowing boats owned by Mr. L. Elliot disappearing, while a small launch and a dinghy owned by Mr. Bert Knuckey and Messrs. W. and M. Birdling respectively were washed away but cast up on the flats down river. The harbour board’s dredging punt broke a mooring chain, and a wire rope was affixed by Messrs. F. Clare and W. Wilson, who carried the line across from the wharf in a small boat after much difficulty. Launches were damaged by bumping against the wharf. The main area of Waitara, built upon a sand and shingle flat left by the river long ago, has been protected from the menace of erosion only since the big flood of eight years ago. On that occasion the force of the current sweepir j aj.Jnst the bank at the end of Queen Street, facing the recreation reserve, ate away many yards of land. Erosion ceased only as the chimney of the nearest house was robbed of its foundation. After much discussion the local body concerned expended £6OOO and lined the bank with large stones. In the intervening years periodical freshes have bound the rockface with silt and willows planted then have flourished. The protection withstood the tremendous force well. This probably prevented the river from carving a fresh course directly through the main shopping area. Reports from the News’ Waitara correspondent before midnight. last night indicated that the town bridge was passable for motorists agreeable to signing an indemnity and that the peak tide period had passed with the river still confined to its banks.