SUNDAY’S STORM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20334, 5 February 1936, Page 14

SUNDAY’S STORM

LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY MORE PARTICULARS OF DAMAGE VISITATION PROVES COSTLY By Telegraph—Press Association TE AWAMUTU, February 4. An investigation discloses that the cause of Sunday’s havoc on Pirongia Mountain was a land slide, which blocked the course of the river. The water finally broke through and rushed into the valleys below. The settlers say a solid wall of water eight to ten feet high swept the valleys, carrying everything before it. Three bridges were swept away, two of them on the main highway to Kawhia. The scene is one of utter destruction. Hundreds of acres are covered with debris and silt, crops and pastures destroyed, and fences levelled. Willows lining the normal watercourse bear evidence of a water level at least twelve feet high. Huge logs and boulders are scattered over the country. One bridge lies in the middle of a paddock nearly half a mile away, almost completely covered with logs and debris. It is Impossible yet to reach the central position of the main highway, as a huge slip blocks one end and the bridgeless rivers make access Impossible at the other end. On the alternative road across the mountain it is known that the hillside has fallen Into the valley, carrying away several chains of the road, also that a tangled mass of logs and debris will have to be cleared. On the main highway it is known that at least five slips occurred. Fortunately the oncoming flood waters sounded a warning, enabling settlers to make for higher levels. Two men had a narrow escape, one being actually knee deep in water in his rush for safety as the torrent overtook him. Stock losses are heavy, but it is impossible yet to muster sheep and cattle as fences are down and the surviving stock is wandering on the mountain.