DELUGE ON EGMONT

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 10

DELUGE ON EGMONT

PHENOMENAL RAIN UNEQUALLED FOR YEARS SEAS AND TIDES HIGH (By Telegraph.—Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday Not for years has rain poured down on Mount Egmont as last night, instead of measuring the fall in inches it was almost possible to measure it in feet for the total fall for 24 hours to 9 a.m. to-day was 11.5 inches. in New Plymouth only a fraction less than four inches fell during the same period, and at the end of that time rain was coming down heavier than ever.

This is the heaviest fall recorded in a 2 4 hour period for veal's, and almost equal to all the total for the rest of the year in New' Plymouth, the figure up to yesterday morning being less than live inches.

The parched state of the ground following the drought prevented flooding, although there is still an danger as the streams are rising and the downpour is unabated. Seas are very high and the tides the highest for years.

Little damage has been reported except at the East End Reserve, where a concrete sea wall is being undermined from the rear and pounded by huge trees, which have been swept down by Hie river.

JUST IN NICK OF TIME

SITUATION SAVED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association)

MASTERTON, Thursday

Steady and drenching rain set in throughout the Wairarapa during the night and continues unabated, definitely ending the drought of the past three months. The fall up to 9 a.m. to-day has varied from 159 points in Masterton to 277 points at Mauriceville.

“It has come just in the nick of time,” said one east coast faxmer, whose creeks had dried up and tanks were empty. “It means everything to us.”

That is the general consensus of opinion among the farming community. The position in the Wairarapa as the result of the drought was acute, and the rain has saved the situation for the farmer.

COUNTRYSIDE REFRESHED

MENACE IN MANAWATU GORGE CAREFULNESS ESSENTIAL (By Telegraph.—Press Association) PALMERSTON N. t Thursday Heavy rain fell overnight. Over an inch was recorded, greatly refreshing the countryside, this being the only appreciable fall since early in March. The rain continues to-day. Trouble is feared in the Manawatu Gorge, as following saturation after a long dry spell parts of the cliff face have become loose, and large boulders are falling to the roadway. Much care is needed.

A SOAKING DOWNFALL

RELIEF IN lIAWKE’S BAY (By Telegraph.—Press Association) HASTINGS, Thursday The pastures in Hawke's Bay will benefit greatly by soaking rain which fell last night and continued during the day, relieving conditions throughout the province, particularly in Central Hawke’s Bay and coastal districts. The drain on feed supplies and the increasing shortage of water have been relieved, but it still appears likely, in the absence of adequate hay stacks, that the winter feed position will be serious.

1.86 INCHES AT DANNEVIRKE

FARMERS RELIEVED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) DANNEVIRKE, Thursday The prolonged drought in southern Hawke's Bay was broken yesterday afternoon by a light fall, which during the night increased in volume and the reading at 9 a.m. to-day showed a registration of 1.80 inches. The rain continued steadily throughout the day, and should do much to relieve the acute conditions of the farming community.