ROUGH WEATHER.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 14 March 1924, Page 6

ROUGH WEATHER.

FLOODS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

SCENES OF DESOLATION. PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION—COI-2BIGHT NAPIER, March 13. Comparatively little rain has fallen since daybreak yesterday, and the flood waters have rapidly subsided, though, of course, there is still a considerable volume in the lowlands. On every hand scenes ot desolation meet the eye. The rivers are carrying enormous quantities of drift wood, dead stock, etc., down to the sea. Fences everywhere are broken down and the properties generally in Taradale are in a deplorable state. The damage to crops is extensive, and complete stock losses are very heavy. There has been a good deal of damage to various bridges, many of which are blocked with debris.

Donald Strachan, who took refuge yesterday in a poplar tree, was rescued at 2 o’clock this morning by a youth, a son of Mr W. Kinross White, who performed a quite remarkable feat. In pitch darkness he swam his horse through the surging waters of the river, in which small boats could not live, and reached the* tree. Strachan, almost exhausted, was put in the saddle by White, who then attached himself to the horse’s tail, and ordered the trusty animal to set out again for dry land, which was made in safety. At least two bridges on the Taupo Road have gone. The body of the baby girl buried in a house in Shakespeare Road, Napier, on Tuesday, was recovered this morning. Further falls there during the night wrecked a second house completely. Messrs Robjohns, Hindmarsh and Co., whose cellar, containing a large quantity’ of groceries, was flooded, estimate their loss at £3OOO.

Work on the waterfront is completely’ disorganised. The sea increased considerably yesterday, making it quite impossible to Work four Home liners in the bay. Two steamers at the breakwater put out into the bay for safety at anchorage, the range at, the wharves being considered dangerous. All telegraph wires from Napier to Putorino are down, but it is hoped to restore communication this afternoon. 'Hie lines to Taupo are also interrupted between Te Pohue and Kskdale, where the conditions are particularly bad. Two washouts on the railway in the vicinity’ of Waitangi and Clive, and damage to the Whakata bridge, which

has a prqpouiiced kink, caused the suspension of railway’ traffic till late yesterday afternoon. A report late last night states that it will be fully a month before the road is clear to \\ airoa. In places near Tongio, the road has entirely disappeared, whilst there are hundreds of slips. The rivers are now rapidly falling and apparently there is no further danger, unless there is more heavy rain. GISBORNE, March 13. A fierce southerly storm raged through Tuesday night. Several shop fronts were blown in, and a good deal of damage was done to various establishments through storm water. I ive inches of rain jell in Gisborne, 6.83 at Waihau, Talago Bay. The river are flooded, and a heavy' sea is running. Telegraphic service was cut off on Tuesday’ and yesterday.

WELLINGTON, March 13. South of Napier all material damage was confined to a small area. Iwo important roads are blocked, but the main roads south arc all open. The total sheep losses are confined to a mile square, where up to 5000 sheep and 100 head of cattle were lost, previous estimates being exaggerated. Settlers on mustering, found their losses not so serious as anticipated. All the water has left the roads, which in some places are under two feet of silt. Rissington bridge, which stood 27 feet above the normal water level, had spans of 90 feet washed away. WAIROA, March 13.

One of the most severe thunder storms ever experienced here swept over the Wairoa district yesterday, and reached its greatest intensity last night. Vivid flashes of lightning, accompanied by deafening thunder claps, and torrential -rain, were experienced the whole night. Heavy rain continues, and show’s no sign of abatement. Rivers and creeks are in high flood and all lowlying country is under water. The Wairoa river is in high flood, and is rapidly rising. It is already over the smaller wharves, and part of the town wharf. Enormous quantities of trees, logs, posts and firewood are coming down, and several rowing boats were washed out to sea. Much damage has been- done to gardens and orchards. Gisborne, Napier and Waikaremoana roads are blocked by slips, mid telegraphic communication is cui off.

Up to 9 a.m to-day 7J inches of rain fell. NAPIER .March 13. The weather to-day was overcast and windy, but there was no rain, and the flood waters got away well. The rivers which had risen as much as 14 feet, are now down to five or six feet above normal.

Officers of the Defence Department consider that the equipment at the submerged battery camp at Eskdale can all be recovered. It has been ascertained that 14 huts at the Public Works camp at Waipunga on the east coast railway were carried away by the flood on Tuesday. The body of Thomas Hill, one of the

employees, has not been recovered. On behalf of the local bodies and settlers, Mr Mcllvride, M.P., has telegraphed to the Minister of Public Works requesting him to visit the district to discuss questions arising out of the flood. It is intended to suggest to the Hon. J. G. Coates that men employed on the railway works, who will not be able to resume for some time be transferred to road work, to assist in the enormous amount of repair work necessary. Chinese market gardeners at Taradale were among those who suffered severely, and their extensive Gardens are still either under water or covered inches deep in silt. The position in regard to the damage to roads cannot be exaggerated, and many thousands of pounds will be required to put them in good order again. One of the most serious losses is the destruction of a big bridge, 181 feet long, at Rissington. It will cost £4OOO to £5OOO to replace the bridge. It is estimated that it will take a fortnight to clear one slip at the top of Titokura hili, ion the Taupo road. Hundreds of other slips occurred, and dozens of small bridges have disappeared