SEVERE WEATHER.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17711, 15 May 1929, Page 7

SEVERE WEATHER.

PASSENGERS CONCERNED. GLAD TO REACH PORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. The Ulimaroa arrived from Sydney this morning, 24 hours late, as a result or a stiff north-easterly, Although the trip was not as bad as the previous one to Wellington, when the Ulimaroa was a day and a-half late, the passengers were glad to reach port safely. On Sunday afternoon the vessel began to pitch and toss. Luckily the wind was almost dead ahead ahd the ship did not roll, hut on Monday she made up for this deficiency in unpleasantness, besides pitching in a more alarming manner • than on the previous day. The sea moderated somewhat on Tuesday, but headway was still slow (owing to the haziness of the weather and the consequent poor visibility) until the Three Kings were picked up, One passenger who has made many cross-Tasman trips confessed to being more than a little relieved when the Three Kings were sighted, as he always thought of the Elingamite and what happened to her in 1902 when feeling round for them. The rattie of the chains when the Ulimaroa dropped anchor this morning was a welcome sound to the passengers and crew.

FLOODS IN HAWKE’S BAY.

SEVERAL ROADS BLOCKED

STOCK TAKEN TO HIGH LEVELS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.J NAPIER, Wednesday.

The Heretaunga plains are threatened with a flood which may equal that of 1897. , ,

The main road south became blocked during the night, and other roads this morning. The railways buses are making a detour, but owing to the threatened crossing of the road at Waitangi an inland detour may be found necessary. The water is reported to be rising at Redcliffe Bridge, where the Tutaekuri River overllowed. The overflow channel for the Tutaekuri came into business-like operation for the first time overnight, and the effect is being closely watched, as part of the district is afraid that it moans disaster to Clive, while relieving Taradaie and Meeanee. The rainfall has been heavy in the back country, and threatens to continue. Napier’s fall for the last 24 hours was 2J inches. The Ngaruroro rose very rapidly overnight. All stock was removed to the higher levels. Should the Redcliffe Bridge become blocked Napier will be cut off from the south. The inland road at Rissington is blocked, the low-level bridge being submerged. It is reported that 75 people are held up at a creek 17 miles north of Napier, where they have been since yesterday, being unable to retreat or advance. Food and comforts ai*o being sent out.

rescuing marooned people. CREEK TO BE BRIDGED. fßy Telegraph —Press Association.) NAPIER, Wednesday. Efforts are being made to erect a bridge across a creek at Tangojo, in order to rescue the 55 (not 70 as previously stated) people who have been marooned there since yesterday. RIVERS RECEDING SLIGHTLY. STOCK LOSSES NOT HEAVY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, Wednesday. The rivers are now receding slightly at the lower danger points, but this is due, it is believed, to breaks higher up, where the water has got out of control. Stock losses on the plains will probably be light, as farmers were removing stock yesterday and throughout the night. The weather is brightening slightly, and the rain is much less severe. The sea is moderately rough. The danger is not all over, as much back country water has yet to come down.

IN THE HASTINGS DISTRICT. GALE AND HEAVY RAIN. RIVERS OVERFLOWING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Wednesday. Rain, driven by a brisk northeasterly wind, set in yesterday and continued heavily through the night. For the 24 hours ended at 0 a.m. 4 J Indies were recorded in’ Hastings, and 5$ inches since 4 p.m. yesterday at Whana, about 25 miles up country. The rivers are running bank to bank, and ail overflowing in places, blocking the road, so that traffic between Hastings and Napier was stopped at 9.30, and the railway ran special trains, as the line is clear.

The Ngaruroro at Fernhill overflowed on to the paddocks on the Mato side, but there was no damage. At 11.30 the weather was relenting,and as the tide is now on the ebb il is hoped conditions will improve. Hastings is not threatened at all.

IN THE WAIRARAPA DISTRICT. LAND UNDER WATER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) 5i AS T ERT ON, We dn es day. Heavy rain has fallen throughout the district during the past 24 hours. Rivers are flooded, and low-lying land is under water. Over three inches of rain fell in the 24 hoursVESSEL IN A GALE. HATCHES LASHED DOWN. (By Telegraph—Special lo Times.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. According to officers of the Raisdale, which arrived to-day from An liConunued In next columiLj.

werp, the vessel reached Auckland undamaged, more by good luck than anything elseFor the last 400 miles the steamer ran before a strong easterly gale. Even then the vessel was continually flooded, and heavy planks were lashed across the hatch covers as an extra precaution.

STEAMER BUFFETED. ARRIVES 24 HOURS LATEAUCKL AX D, Wednesday. After battling with a fierce cyclone for three days the Union Company s steamer Tofua arrived from the Islands yesterday, 24 hours behind her schedule. So bad was the weather that the vessel was hovc-to for over 24 hours, from Sunday night until late on Monday night. Huge seas which swept over her carried away two after companionways, smashed an after lifeboat up on the boat deck and created other damage. HARD ON CATTLE. Our Maungatautari * correspondent writes: —The weather during the lest few days has been very wintry. A cold, bleak wind has been blowing. It is iioped a change will take place soon, as this is hard on the cattle.