SERIOUS FLOODS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21014, 18 April 1938, Page 9

SERIOUS FLOODS

TORRENTIAL RAIN IN TARANAKI Bv Telegraph—Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, April 16, Slip;, on almost every road, and on the railway line, bridges washed away, and washouts were caused by the most serious floods for years in East Taranaki. They followed prolonged torrential rain in the area between Whangamomona and Stratford yesterday. Communication by road was completely disorganised, and with the whole district affected it appears likely to be some time before it will be fully restored. Rain began to fall on Wednesday, and became heavier on Thursday and through the night came down in sheets, with scarcely a break until it eased yesterday afternoon. In the meantime rivers normally little more than, creeks have been swollen by rains pouring off the hills, the soil of which is not very porous, and steep hillsides have begun to slide. Bringing 370 passengers for Taranaki and Wanganui from Auckland and Main Trunk stations, the train that left Auckland at 10 o’clock on Thursday night arrived at 2.15 a.m. to-day, instead of 9.30 a.m. yesterday. Slips at both ends of the Kiore tunnel, on the Stratford-Main Trunk section, caused the train to be held at Whangamomona yesterday morning, pending the arrangement of road transport over the gap. The blockage of the roads was eventually cleared earlier than was expected, and led to the abandonment of those plans, the train returning to Taumarunui, to travel to New Plymouth via Marton and Wanganui. Flood-, and torrential rain were reported on Mt. Egmont during the last few days. The worst flood for several years occurred in the Kapuni River at Dawson Falls on Wednesday night, and the site of the old power-house was completely covered. The rain which fell at the North Egmont Hostel cn Tuesday overflowed the rain-gauge, which measured up to 11 inches.