SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18205, 5 March 1929, Page 11

SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

RESERVOIR BURSTS. By Telegraph—Pres* l*»odatioi». AUCKLAND, March 4. Residents in the locality of Mount Eden had a sensational experience at 5.30 this morning, when the reservoir supplying a large portion of the city and suburbs, burst with a roar whicn was heard naif a mile away. The reservoir, situated on the city side of the mountain, contained 1,250,000 gallons, which rushed down the mountain side, taking a course mainly along what is known as “The Drive.” The greater part went into a disused quarry, but a huge stream swept down the hillside on to the main road, gradually getting away over the sloping land on either side. The road this morning was impassable for traffic, the tram service being held up, and a temporary service provided by * buses. Debris covered the road for about half a mile, including pieces of concrete, silt and workmen’s tools. There was little damage to property. In some places water covered the lawns a foot deep, but apparently did no other damage. Fortunately there was nobody about at that early hour. The rush of water lasted half an hour. The whole of one side of the square in the reservior was carried away. The cause of the disaster was apparently excavation work for the extension of the reservoir. Mrs Martin., wife of the caretaker of the Mount Eden reservoir, who resides on the northern slope of the mountain, states that- she was awakened at 5.45 a.m. by a sound of rushing water. It was like the noise of heavy rain on an iron roof. The reservoir which burst, was a ferro*-concrete structure, build in 1912. and alongside of it an excavation was being made for another reservoir. It was the concrete wall between these two reservoirs that was carried away. As the huge volume of water poured down the mountain side, three motor vehicles wkre fbompletely overwhelmed The force of the water was so great that the concrete wall of the dam. thirteen inches thick, was carried a distance of 80 to 100 feet, and smashed to pieces. One solid piece was carried 180 fec+ and deposited amongst the sdt in the new dam, and a big coneete mixer was deposited 180 feet away. A section of the reservoir roof, 80ft bv 18ft-. was left hanging like a huge spider’s web. Rushing water tore up the main road extensively, and caused much damage on the roads leading to the lower levels. Tn one olnoe there is a deep hy 50 feet lone, extending practice 0v the whole width of the footpath. In a side street, water pouring into a. rubbish tip on the mountain caused an awful stench. The reserve service pumping plant, is being used to meet urgent requirements. The blow-out affects all the higher levels of the citv and srihnrhnp wnt°r snpnlv in the area of Rrmopds Street. Grafton Read and Khyber Pass.