FLOODS ON WEST COAST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18844, 6 April 1931, Page 9

FLOODS ON WEST COAST.

ALb NIGHT IN WILLOWS. • CARS IN DIFFICULTIES. By Telegrapn—Press Association WELLINGTON, April 4. After the ’bus at Silverstream had been rescued from the Hutt River floodwaters, a smart roadster, with two occupants, came from the direction of Lower Hutt, and tried to get through. It stuck, and the breakdown went to its assistance, but it was a case of the pitcher going too often to the water. The rescuers were themselves involved. They anchored the van, with the roadster in tow, to a fence, and made their way out by clinging to the fence wires. However, the occupants of the roadster, for some reason, did not follow. As the water kepo rising, they were shouted to to come out, but they stuck to the car. After darkness fell the police were informed, and a rescue party was arranged, but could do nothing. The men eventually took to the branches of the willow trees, and there they were marooned until rescued with ropes at 5 o’clock this morning. They were in an exhausted condition, but did not require medical attention. Both are carpenters—Frederick Potts, of Upper Hutt, and Frederick Stevenson, of Trentham. Their car was swept into the willows, and capsized. The Manor Park suspension bridge, which received the full force of the flood, broke away about 9 o’clock last night, and with the exception of the pilons on one side, the whole structure was swept downstream. WATERS RECEDE IN HUTT VALLEY. LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. By Telegraph—Pres* Association WELLINGTON, April 5. The body of Mrs Ann Falder, who was on the suspension bridge at Otaki when it collapsed in the flood on Friday night, was recovered entangled in fencing wire. A boat had to be obtained to reach It. The flood waters in the Hutt Valley have now entirely receded. The river in places has scoured out a new course, but has not encroached on farm or suburban land. At one point in Taita Gorge, the river has washed away part Of the road, making a short strip passable for one-way traffic only. Little real damage has been done by the flood, beyond the destruction of Manor Park Bridge, which was washed away some time in the storm on Friday night. BRIDGE WEAKENED. PIERS BADLY SCOURED By Telegraph—Press Association HOKITIKA, April 4. Heavy floods yesterday badly scoured two piers of the Hokitika river railway bridge, but the train managed to pass over this morning. A repair gang is at work. DAMAGE AT OTAKI. RESIDENTS VACATE HOMES. OTAKI, April 4. There is no sign of the body of Mrs Falders, drowned yesterday. The floods are subsiding. The Otaki racecourse was damaged by the rainfall. Over two inches of rain fell at Waitohu last night. The river overflooded its banks and entered the town. The residents of Mill Road were compelled to vacate their houses. HEAVY RAIN IN “CARTERTON. CARTERTON, April 4. The exceptionally wet Easter has caused all rivers to rise rapidly. Floods have been experienced everywhere. Slips came down on the Rimutaka hill, blocking traffic south. The Waingawa and Waiohine rivers are over the road, blocking the road north. The Tauherinikau river burst its banks and flooded portion of the Tauherenikau racecourse, particularly the section containing the loose boxes and accommodation house for jockeys, owners and trainers. A number of racehorses had to be removed to drier quarters through the loose boxes being flooded. MURCHISON RESIDENTS RETURN. WESTPORT, April 5. The road is open to Reefton, and also on the costal road to Greymouth slips having been cleared, but the roads to Murchison, via Lyell, and also via Maruia, are blocked with slips. Travellers changed over at the slip, on Maruia road, and came on to Westport. The weather is fine to-day, and the river is back to normal. The Nelson oarsmen, who were held up by slips, are expected to-day, and the races for the Gothard, Harley and Jones Cups will probably take place to-morrow. Karamea suffered temporarily by the flood, but the people are back in their homes. The same applies to those at Seddonville and Tiroroa, who were temporarily driven out by the flood HUn