TORRENTIAL RAINS.

Wairarapa Age, 19 December 1924, Page 5

TORRENTIAL RAINS.

THROUGHOUT WAIRARAPA. ROADS AND CROPS DAMAGED. Rain lias fallen more or less heavily with practically no cessation since 7 a.m. on Wednesday, the culminating point being reached at between 6 and 7 last night, when a severe thunderstorm passed over almost the whole of the Wairarapa district. Very heavyrain continued throughout the night. Creeks and rivers are flooded, and, in some parts, roads are impassible. Flood in Queen street. In Mast on, the surface water last evening flooded right over Queen street entering many of the shops on the western side. There was almost a foot depth of water in the shops of the old “Star” block, on the corner of Hall and Queen streets. Water entered about a dozen shops, doing som6 damage to stocks. Chapel, Hall, Perry, Hannister and Dixon streets also were flooded, and water ran down the right- of -way at the rear of “The Age * building, which it entered. About half-way along Cole street a culvert was blocked, and the 'street was completely covered in some places. The Waipoua river is in flood, but when “The Age” w6nt to press it was not as high as during the last flood. Rain fell so heavily during the night, however, that high-water mark should be reached this morning. It was a novel sight last evening to see a number of people discarding their boots and paddling barefooted on their way down Queen street. Mauriceville. (“The Age” Special.) Last night a heavy thunderstorm passed over Mt. Bruce, Mauriceville and Ihuraua. After a downpour lasting two days the roads are very heavy, Dagg’s road being very bad. Carting on this road was held up on WedncsThe Kopuaranga stream is in high flood, and the Ruamahunga river is also high. The weather showed no signs of breaking last night. SLIPS ON ADMIRAL ROAD. Mr Dunean McGregor informed “The Age” last night that two slips had occurred on the Admiral road, rendering it impassible for -traffic. The Shorn Sheep. Many farmers, who were communicated with by “The Age,” say that, up to midday yesterday, sheep did not appear to have suffered, but it was expected that many of the shorn sheep, especially of those shorn in the last few days, would suffer badly. OAT CROPS DAMAGED. It is to feared that many fine oat crops which were almost ready for cutting will suffer serious damage by the rain. Crops yesterday were beaten flat in all directions. Fortunately the straw is not very heavy, though long, and the oats will still be good for chaff. Some of the crops, which were particularly numerous in the Wairarapa this year and promised a good yield, will have lost a good deal of grain before they can be cut.

RIMUTAKA ROAD BLOCKED.

MOTORISTS TURN BACK. The secretary of the Wairarapa Automobile Association (Mr I. V. Wilson) advised “The Age” last night that a wash-out 100 yards in length had occurred on the Rimutaka' road, about 3 chains above the old “motor” bridge. A Petone motor lorry-driver was coming to the Wairarapa when he noticed a dark patch in front. He walked, forward and found the huge gap in the road, which was fast’widening. There were eight cars behind him and all had to return to the Hutt and Wellington. FLOOD AT FEATHERSTON. Abbott’s creek, near Featherston* “was in high flood last evening, and “The Age” w r as advised that the water had entered a number of the houses, and some of the residents were coming into the town. Rough at Flat Point. Heavy weather was being experienced at Flat Point last night. A very strong wind was blowing and the sea was rising. At Longbush, reports Mr P. Nathan, some people on the road were unable to get across last evening owing to the creek| being very high. RAINFALL REPORTS. Masterton.—Mr R. Brown reports that the rainfall from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. yesterday was 87 points, and from 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. 295 points —almost 4 inches in 12 hours. Solway.—Mr H. M. Boddington reports 178pts for 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday, and 117pts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Quite 50 points fell from 6 Mauriceville.—2.3l inches fell for the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday. Marangai.—Mr H. G. Groves reports Sin on Wednesday and quite lin yesterday. Longbush.—Mr P. H. Nathan reports 1.40 pts to 7 a.m. yesterday. Dalefield Inundated. At 2 a.m. “The Age” was advised that the Mangatarere river at Dalefield was in higher flood than old residents had ever seen it. Traffic along the Dalefield, Brooklyn and Lincoln roads was impossible. The rear portion of Mr Chas. Fairbrothcr’s residence was flooded, and residents on Brooklyn road were waiting up all night expecting to be flooded out. Rain was still falling heavily.,. The Waiohine river is over the road at the Black bridge, and motorists

could not get through to Carterton from Greytown. LANSDOWNE TROUBLES. WATER IN HOUSES. A Lansdowne resident informed “The Age” at 2.30 a.m., that a torrent. was raging down from the dam. Mr R. Lee’s house in Second street bad 2 feet of water in it, and other bouses had about 3 feet of water surrounding them. Downpour at Wanganui. WANGANUI, Dec. IS.—A phenomenal downpour about 6 p.m. caused considerable damage to business places containing Christmas stocks. The streets resembled lakes.—(P.A.) THE FORECAST. Last night’s forecast by the Dominion Meteorologist read: — Present t indications are Jor further boisterous, cold and wet weather generally, and heavy rain with flooded rivers in districts surrounding Cook Strait; strong w.cst to south-west winds northward of Kawhia and East Cape and south-easterlies strong to a gale elsewhere. A disturbance has been centred off Cape Egmont during the past two days, but the atmos- k pheric pressure is likely to increase shoi'tly and conditions then moderate.