SEVERE WEATHER.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15998, 28 May 1924, Page 5

SEVERE WEATHER.

FLOODS AT TE AROHA.

FURTHER DETAILS.

MORE SERIOUS THAN SUPPOSED

Following Ihe meagre telegraphed particulars concerning the Hoods -d Te Aroha and district, our correspondent writes:—

The damage done in Ihe borough is much more serious than was al llrs! estimated. The lawn and bowling green, consistent with the entire surroundings, is in a deplorable stale. A slip occurred on the mountain about a couple of hundred feel up, when thousands of yards of rock, earth, trees, etc., were dislodged, a large portion sweeping at a tremendous speed and lodging in Hie Domain. Beautiful shrubs were torn away, while channels were formed and a large quantity of wafer is coursing In all directions about the domain. There is a picture, of desolation. The lower green was completely tilled with metal and timber, and Ihe weight of earth piled up against the main gate. making ingress impossible. Seals are blown about in all directions. Up t" It o'clock on Tuesday a. great, amount, of wafer continued to pour down the newly-formed watercourse into the playing areas. The damage will run into many hundreds of pounds. A few years ago the council constructed a large concrete bridge over a stream between Ihe town and Ruakaka. The pressure of water seems to have undermined this, and it cracked in half, one half being again broken in several parls and carried down Ihe stream. Fully 100 tons of concrete and metal were removed. Besides this (lie road was excavated for fully half the width of the road. Tli break occurred about 8.30, and as Ihe night was dark, several pedestrians and motorists had some miraculous escapes. The concrete bridge in the pound paddock (or sporls ground) was also very severely faxed and completely choked by boulders from Ihe mountain, causing a big washout of earth. The same thing occurred at the back of Whilaker Street, on the hillside. The culvert was blocked and Ihe water overflowed in thousands of gallons through shops, and finally lodged in the river. It is estimated that fully £IOOO worth of damage was done in Ihe borough. Borough workmen and those connected with the electrical schemes were working strenuously at! through the night in effecting repairs. Much inconvenience was caused lo dairymen through trees falling across lines and dislocating the, service. Likewise, Te Aroha was not only in darkness, but had its water supply cut off also.

The Power Board and Borough Council is deserving of great credit for Ihe expeditious manner in which they combated Ihe damage. The county engineer, Mr W. .1. Gibbs, reports that comparatively speaking very little damage was reported. The people living near the river in Somerstowu had some humorous experiences by having to rise in Ihe early hours and remove scores of poultry from Ihe hen-houses. The river rose to within a few feet of the homes.

Writing last night, our correspondent, stales: —For the 2i hours concluding at 'J a.m. on Tuesday, G.iOin. of rain was recorded at the Te Aroha Tourist Office. The weather is still showery. Several streets in the borough arc Hooded. From Ihe record height of the river it is evident that the vast sheets of water will take some time to subside.

AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, Tuesday. A heavy north-easterly gale swept the city all last night. The only material damage reported is that a flanking pinnacle at the base of First Church sleeple was blown down, also seriously damaging Ihe roof. The steamer Holmdale, which left her berth in the afternoon for Wanganui, was compelled to anchor in the channel all night, Hie conditions being too rough lo face. She sailed to-day.

THE FERRY SERVICE. MABAROA DELAYED. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Mararoa suffered a rough passage from Lyttelton, arriving hero at 2.15 p.m. She was not damaged. TRAIN SERVICE DISLOCATED. THAMES, Wednesday. The recent iloods about Omahu and Hikutaia caused dislocation of the train service. The express from Auckland got as far as Hikutaia yesterday, and had to return. A train which left yesterday about 5 p.m. got as far as Puriri, ami also had to return.

The line was open this morning, the express departing at 10.3 0. Serious slips are reported all round the district. The coast road is blocked, also the road over the peninsula lo Hikutaia. NAPSER HARBOUR BOARD. ESTIMATED DAMAGE £50,000. NAPIER, Wednesday. The damage done lo the harbour works by the easterly gale is estimated at £50,000. The Weather Bureau wires: The indications are for southerly winds. moderate lo strong, and squally at limes. Weather cloudy to overcast. Rain probable. Barometer unsteady.