RAIN AND SNOW.

Wairarapa Age, 29 August 1932, Page 4

RAIN AND SNOW.

WAIRARAPA DISTL.L. DRENCHED. i WEATHER'S VAGARIES. FLOODING IN MANY PARTS. Particularly heavy rain was experienced in the Wairarapa during the week-end, snow setting in early last evening and continuing until midnight, when further rain fell. Many parts of the district were flooded to varying degrees and at one time the overflow of the Waipoua River threatened to invade Masterton’s main thoroughfare. This, however, fortunately did not happen. rain fell on the Tararua Ranges on Saturday and it was not long before the rivers were in flood. By nightfall the rain extended to the Wairarapa generally and continued throughout the night and all day yesterday. The fall registered in Masterton for the 24 hours up to 9 a.m. yesterday was 67 points, while for the nine hours until 6 p.m. a further 1.50 Inches were recorded, making the total over 2 inches. At Solway, 84 points were recorded up to 9 a.m. yesterday and a further 135 points up to 6 p.m. In the afternoon the rivers were running bank-high and in some eases overflowing their banks, the road at Te Ore Ore and near Martinborough and the main Wellington highway in the vicinity of the Waiohine River being affected, while the Waipoua River inundated much low-lying country near Columba Road. Although private car owners were held up by water, the service cars were able to get through under difficulties. The full service was maintained yesterday and at a late hour it was reported that the Waiohine River was falling. Earlier in the day the water was up to the headlights of the service ears. On the Rimutakas the snow was reported to be from nine inches to a foot deep. Water was also across the road at Silverstream but was not sufficient to prevent cars getting through. Minor flooding was reported in other districts, notably at Homebush, where the Makora creek was unable to cope with the volume of water. At about nine o’clock last night the Waipoua River broke its bank near Hope Street and the water found its way down the street to Chapel and Wrigley Streets. In two or three cases it came very near to entering houses in Hope Street and fears were entertained that Borne serious flooding would follow, as the usual consequence of the water breaking through at this locality is for it to continue down Chapel Street into Queen Street, where many residents have visions of bad floods of the past. Several retailers took the precaution of placing their stock beyond reach of the water but later reports indicated that the danger was passing. The Borough staff took early precautions to prevent, if possible any serious flooding, sand-bags being placed along the river-bank at vital places and culverts were cleaned. Elsewhere in the district the rainfall is described as the worst for some years. At Rangitumau the creeks and streams were in high flood and the Mauriceville region was similarly affected, one resident there stating that it was the heaviest rainfall for twen-ty-five years. There were no reports, however, of bridges being washed iiway. The settlers of Tawaha had an anxious time as in this district bad floods appeared to be likely. Stock was removed to safer quarters and in one or two instances furnitures was removed from houses. A considerable area of land in this neighbourhood was Under water last night. snow sets nr. The warm rain of Saturday night and Sunday was little indication of what was to follow and no one expected a snowstorm to set in, as it did at about five o’clock yesterday. At that hour snow started to fall in Masterton and continued almost without stopping until midnight when rain recommenced. It was not long before the greater part of the district was covered in snow to a depth of two or three inches. Interruptions to the telephone system and electric power occurred during the evening, probably due in the former case, to water finding its way to some vital part of the cable and in the latter instance, to snow causing earth contacts. Portion of Masterton, including the business area was plunged into darkness for three quarters of an hour, from 9.15 until 19 o’clock. The staff of the Wairarapa Power Board were unable to locate the trouble which cleared itself. About midnight the lights again gave several flickers as if the trouble might recur. The limbs of many trees Ibroke under the weight of snow and people living in the vicinity of the Park and other wooded areas often heard the crash of broken boughs. No doubt driven from their haunts on the river-beds by the flooding, several banded dotterels, a useful native bird, were heard flying around in the vicinity of the Masterton Post Office, when the snow was falling thickly. A more serious consequence of the snow and heavy rain, however, is the effect on lambs. In places where shelter is scanty no doubt lambs will suffer severely, as lambing is now in full progress. Any losses in this connection could not be ascertained last night, although it was fully expected they would be serious.