SERIOUS FLOODS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2773, 31 March 1910, Page 5

SERIOUS FLOODS.

A PHENOMENAL RAINFALL.

WAIAPAOA OVERFLOWS AT ORMOND, POUPARAE, AND WAERENGA

A-HIKA.

WAIMATA AND TARUHERU RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD

The heavy and continuous rain which liad been falling almost without cessation since Monday afternoon was further supnlementcd yesterday by a heavy south-easterly gale, which sprang up soon after midday, and.- which, was accompanied- by driving torrents of rain. At 9 a.m. yesterday 6.69 inches of rain liad fallen during the previous 48 hours, and it was anticipated that over 3 inches additional liad fallen up to last night. STEAMERS DELAYED.

From Waingake, "Wharerata, Whatatutu and AVharekopae, reports were to the effect that the creeks and rivers were in a state of high flood, in some cases over the banks. As in Gisborne there was no prospect of a cessation of the rain, and it was feared that there would be considerable mortality amongst the young stock. The hills provided a safe refuge from the flood waters, but the severity of the weather was greatly feared. CO ACH TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED. The Coast is also feeling the effects of the severe storm. Coach traffic is at a standstill owing to slips on the road, and to the flooded creeks and rivers. The Coast coach vesterday was compelled to return to town, and neither the Tologa nor Morere coaches will leave town this morning. On the Morere road there are numerous slips and wash-outs, rendering traffic utterly impossible, and the creeks are all over their banks. At "YVainui last evening the creek was exceptionally high, and the water was running fast over the road atone point. So deep were the waters that a fanner driving cattle was compelled to swim them for some distance along the road. The record of the rainfall so far this year is as follows: January 3.24 inches, February 2.71 inches, March (up to 30th at 9 a.m.) 9.58 inches. For the corresponding months last year the figures were: January .58 inches, February 4.81 inches, March 7.76 inches. Advice from the Chief Postmaster wag received last evening as follows: — The floods have, of course, caused delays with the mails. The TVheterau mails (both ways) are stuck up, also the Waimata- Valley mail, while the outward mail for the Coast from Gisborne is stuck up beyond Tologa Bay, the river at Toko mam not being fordable. The mail will not go forward before Friday. • The Morere-Walroa coach, to have left Gisborne to-morrow morning, will not leave before Friday. It.will go out that morning if the weather permits. THE WHARF AT MIDNIGHT. It looked as if the Taruheru River had been turned into a Thames, and Gisborne into an important port. At midnight the water was some eighteen inches below the level of the wharf, and the boats moored there towered overhead, and seemed as if about to come right ashore. The turbid waters swayed the smaller craft to and fro, and they seemed in danger of being swept away. All the launches that had been anchored in midstream were tied up at the wharf, which presented a. vciv crowded anuearance. With the exception of one launch, the Kaiti, which appeared to be waterlogged, all the craft were safe, but the river was still rising. A LANDSLIDE—A COTTAGE SHIFTED. The hill at the back of the Kaiti beach has always been considered a dangerous place in wet weather, and yesterday afternoon the occupants of a number of the houses that are built on the slope of the hill were warned that a slide was possible. Heed was not taken to this warning, and when a slide occurred late last evening it caused consternation to Late in the evening Mr and Mrs. A. Scott were aroused by a rushing sound, and on going outside found the hillside sliding down on the house. Mrs Scott escaped in a nightdress and shawl only, and at midnight came into town after an exciting experience, having been nearly buried in the mud. She stated that Mr. Scott had stayed to watch the house,' which had shifted about ten feet, and which would possibly be overwhelmed. None of the other houses, according to Mrs. Scott, had suffered. THE LATEST. ' Just prior to going to press there wa s no immediate prospect of any abatement of the storm. The wind still blew hard from the south-east, and rain was falling just as heavily, although not perhaps so continuously as earlier. The wind was still in the same quarter, and from all appearances the experiences of the great flood of 1906 were likely to be repeated, and 1 perhaps exceeded. Although town residents were suffering great inconvenience, their predicament is by no means s o serious as that of the people in the-country, and much sympathy was expressed for the settlers, who must, in any case, be considerable losers. About midnight it was reported that the water of the Waimata had risen over the bank near the Trafalgar band rotunda, which was surrounded by the water.

The _gale caused a very heavy sea on the coast, and shipping was considarablv hampered. The U.S.S. Co-.’s Moliowai on her way from Auckland, was compelled to run into Te Ara-roa for shelter, and it was anticipated /that tile Hauroto would be unable to leave Napier, though a wire from Napier stated that she intended sailing at 9.30 p.m. TARUHERU AND WAIMATA IN FLOOD.

Both the Taruheru and Waimata rivers were in a state of high flood last night, being tremendously swollen and discolored. Huge logs were coming down, as well as great quantities of smaller driftwood, while here and there a dead sheep floating seawards bore testiinonv to- tlih joss of some settlers up Waimata way. Shortly after 9 p.m. last night, at full tide,'4he flood waters were within a couple from the top of. the wharf, and running out at tremendous speed. Great rolling seas were also dashing over both the groyne and the breakwater. The streets in the town were simply running with water, and ankle deep in mud, while in the suburbs the position was even worse. Great sheets of water covered the majority of the streets, while in many cases the lower lying dwellings were in grave danger^of being flooded out. In places in Kaiti the water was a couple of feet deep on the roads pathways, and in the paddocks adjoining the road. SERIOUS POSITION IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. Reports from the country districts early in the evening disclosed a most disquieting condition of affairs, and the position promised to- be every whit as serious as that of the last great flood in July 1906, and which caused such widespread devastation. Unfortunately, the fire in Mr. F. Hall’s buildings burned the telephone cables, and interrupted communication about half-past eight p.m. In consequence there was little news available as to how the country settlers were faring. The reports, however, before the interruption of communication were sufficient to show that the country was very seriously threatened, and that everything pointed to a most disastrous flood. THE RAILWAY LINE INTERRUPTED .

The afternoon train returning from Te Ivaraka was held up on the far side of Ormond, owing to a wash-out on the line, and- was unable to return to townMr. H. J. Day, stationmaster, reported last night that there were a- couple of large slips on the line at Waikohu, and a large body of water was over the line at the north end of the Te Ivaraka tunnel, extending over three-quarters of a mile with 4 feet of water at the tunnel mouth. The wash-out on the line at Ormond, which stuck up the train, was at Boland’s road, and was a. very nasty one. Mr. Day is making arrangements for repairs as soon as the water subsides, but in the meantime the train service is practically suspended. AT MAKAURI AND WAERENGA-A-HIKA.

“It is a very high flood now, and if this continues it will be worse than the 1906 flood,” was the report from Mr.Geo. Witters at Makauri. Mr. Witters also'informed a “Times” reporter that the river had burst its banks between Bushmere and Waerenga-a-hika, and that the-flood waters were flowing over the Haddocks in the direction of Makauri. The river at Waerenga-a-hika. was crossable yesterday morning, but rose at the terrific rate of 4 feet an hour and overflowed about 5.30. The waters ran in the direction of Makauri, and at that time had flooded the surrounding country to a depth of several inches. At 8.30 p.m. the waters liad reached the Waerenga-a-hika Hotel, and between the hotel and the school the water was running rapidly over the road, thence down through the Mission Station towards Makarui past the Catholic Church. The whole of Makauri was flooded and between the- Makauri post office and 1 the King’s Road railway Station the water- was nearly 2 Teet deep. From measurements taken by the settlers, it was ascertained that only a further rise of about 8 inches was required to equal the record of 1906, and the water was then rising rapidly. In the Pouparae paddocks the water was at a depth of from 3 to 4 feet. Word l reached town just before midnight that some of the settlers about Makaraka and Makauri were leaving their houses and seeking refuge at the hotels in anticipation of the further encroachment of the flood waters. BUSHMERE AND ORMOND.

About 3 a.m. to-day word was received that the Tarulieru river lias risen to within a. foot of the lower decking of the footbridge at Ballance Street, and had invaded the recreation reserve. Near the New Zealand Shipping Co.’s sihed in Victoria Township the water was over the' footpaths, and considoiable quantities of water were lying on the streets in the vicinity. A large quantity of driftwood came ashore on the Waikanae baech, together with more serious signs of disaster in the shape of drowned stock. Two cows and several sheep were washed up during yesterday. . Telegraphic with i\apier was maintained till 1.37 a.m. today, when the wire was interrupted as the ’late press cable messages were coming through.

Air. Hellier Evans, at Bushmere, supplied the information that the river ■had at that point risen, to a height of 24ft 3 inches above summer level. The waters were still about three feet lower than they were in the 1906 flood, but were rising fast. At Ormond the river also overflowed its banks, and was coming into the town last evening. Mr. J. A. Caesar’s paddocks were flooded to a considerable depth , and 1 lie stated: that in'all his experience he had never seen water rise so rapidly. At the time of Mr. Caesar’s report the water Was rapidly* increasing in volume, and he considered the outlook to be most serious. SHIFTING STOCK AT PATTJTAHI. From Patutahi a similar report was received. The river was not. however, actually a ' “banker,” but the waters were within a very short distance of the top of the banks. The Lavonham Creek had overflowed, and its waters were spreading rapidly over the. road. All the settlers on the flats were busily cipated that the position would be even higher levels, as it was 1 generally anticipated that the position fould be even more serious than it was in 1906. Further up the valley from Patutahi the creek had burst out and spread over the surrounding lands, many of the paddocks. being 18 inches under water. At Ngatapa the flood fvas spreading lapid-ly.-and some of the houses on the lower levels were threatened with inundation.

A COMPARISON. THE POVERTY BAY FLOOD OF 1906.

The flood in July, 1906, was one of exceptional severity, and at that time was unparalleled in the annals of the district. For miles around the flats were inundated, and the settlors’ losses were very heavy. There was no loss of life, although several narrow escapes were renorted. A generous response was made to an appeal for funds on behalf of the distressed settlors. On that occasion {he rainfall was exceptionally heavy, and lasted' from Saturday until Tuesdav evening, but matters were made considerably worse by a previous heavy fall of snow in the country districts, which, as it melted, helped to swell the rivers, and cause them to overflow. The losses of the smaller settlers of the district were estimated at close on £2OOO.

FLOODS IN HAWKE’S BAY, TUTAEKURI RIVER RISING RAPIDLY. [Special to “Times.”] NAPIER, March 30. For the last three days Hawke’s Bay has been subject to continuous heavy rain. All .through last night the storm was particularly violent. The barometer is low and gives no indication of rising. The total rainfall during the storm so far has been five inches. The effect of the downpour has been particularly noticeable in the Tutaekuri river. At Redcliffe bridge the water, which usually distributes itself in several channels entirely covered the shingle deposits, and there is now a very wide expanse of water at that point. Reports received from Meanee this afternoon indicate that the Tutaekuri river there is in high flood and rising rapidly. It commenced to rise about 9 o’clock this morning and before noqn it had overflown the banks and was almost up to the Meanee bridge. Great quantities of surplus water have gone over the . bank on the • Papakura side, qnd the old road is completely flooded. At Meanee the water at 2 p.m. was running up to the stringers on the decking of the bridge, but did not wot the deck. Shortly after 2 o’clock water was within three feet of the ston-bank (between Meanee and Taradale). The river is rising very fast. Between 10 and 11 o’clock this morning it rose 2ft. If this margin of 3ft. is reached matters will be very serious. A number of stock owners are shifting Uieir stock to higher ground. A good deal of debris and driftwood are coming down the stream, and men are trying to keep it clear of the bridge. A very heavy south-easterly swell has been running al] day, and the Hauroto will have a bad trip to Gisborne to-night.

THE WEATHER ELSEWHERE.

THE GALE GENERAL IN THIS ISLAND.

TPek Pukss Association. 1

AUCKLAND, March 30. The Ohinemuri River flooded its banks at 7.30 this morning. The streets in the township were flooded to a depth of 3ft in places, the water running down the main streets of Paeroa at a great rate, the lower parts of the town being rapidly submerged. Most of the shops in the main streets are flooded. Houses in Rye Lane, Puke and Junction roads, are more or less flooded. So far no more serious damage is reported, but the Hood is "bound to do a good deal of damage. NAPIER, March 30.

A storm of exceptional severity»is raging over the district. The rainfall during the past three days totals nearly five inches. The rivers are in heavy flood, but no serious damage up to the present has been reported. WANGANUI, March 30.

Rain commenced on Tuesday and fell uninterruptedly till this morning. A heavy gale has been experienced all dav and the thermometer is low. FEILDING, March 30. A violent south-easterly gale struck the town early this morning, accompanied by rain. The gale continues today. It is the worst experienced here, for a considerable time. So far no damage is reported. INGLEWOOD. March 30. A howling winter’s gale is blowing. BLENHEIM, March 30.

A igale of some force was experienced in this district to-day and this evening. but beyond the smashing of trees little damage is reported. HEAVY GALE AT NEW PLYMOUTH EXTENSIVE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 30. The Rev. D. C. .Bates’ storm burst over Taranaki early this morning with cyclonic fury, destruction in all directions marking the visitation. Very little rain lias fallen, but the hurri-cane-like blasts have reached a velocity never hitherto experienced on this coast. At the time of wiring, S p.m., the gale has shown no sign of abatement. Very considerable damage has been done, fences, _ stables, chimneys, verandahs, trees, etc., Being down in all directions. Many narrow escapes from flying iron and timber, but no casualties, are reported. The large two-storied show rooms in Devon Street, just vacated, collapsed in a mass of ruins. -All kinds’ of reports are current of the overturning of coaches and traps in the outlying districts, whicKrit is impossible to verify, but everything points to the damage being considerable. This morning the Taranaki Petroleum Company’s No. 4 derrick collapsed. During the afternoon reports reached town that No. 3 derrick was also a victim of the cyclone’s fury, while the New .Zealand ‘Standard Oil Company’s Vogeltown derrick has also gone. Falling trees in town disorganised several sections of telephone wires, while the electric lighting plant is also out of gear in some localities. There is scarcely a property not affected to some extent, and the aggregate damage must be fairly considerable. Shipping is not venturing out of port to-night.

THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT’S REPORT.

WELLINGTON, March 30

The storm warnings telegraphed out to the far north by the Meteorological Office on Saturday have been amply justified. The north was advised to look out for squalls on Monday, and by nightfall the advance skirmishers of a cyclonic disturbance had smitten Cape Maria. Yesterday the tempest developed and the howling winds rushed down the Island. On Thursday night Fiji was struck by a hurricane. Then the cyclone whirled westward to Norfolk Island, and, after a- busy time there, it veered to the south-east and beaded for the Three Kings. This morning the centre of the disturbance was to the westward of Cape Maria, and the line of march was towards East Cape. If the storm continues m its present track it will blow down to the Chatliams, but other forces may intervene Already an enemy an anticyclone (generally favorable to man) is working off the west coast of the South Island, and the high pressure movement may tone down and divert the low pressure. At 9 o clock tins morning the barometer was down to -J inches at Russell, the lowest reading for about three years. The oneigy the vigorous gale this morning chiefly felt northward of East Cape, Taupo. and Wanganui, and ram was general in the Island. W heavy thunder and windi will change bv south-east to south and finally to south-west. Wellington’s share of the weather has not been so heavy as the northern districts’ portion, but there, s jot time for a larger demonstration here. In a few hers tlio wind here ivK here more stSng. |

The South Island, too, was i under clouds to-day, but clown by vercargill the air was culm.

REV. D. C. BATES’ FORECAST

** WELLINGTON, March 30. The Rev. D. C. Bates’ summary and forecast is as follows:—A cyclone of exceptional intensity and with very low ipressure in the far north has ed considerable disturbance over the North Island with heavy easterly gales f and rain and floods in various s - Present indications are for a neavy south-easterly gale with heavy -rain o the East Coast, especially between -Last Cape and Banks Peninsular erly gale with rain and colder IjiatMr probably soon elewhere. The embre o the cyclone will probably Cape in the morning. TELEGRAPH LINES INTERRUPTED The Telegraph Office advised to-day that communication with Auckland was totally interrupted, and work for the north of Hamilton will liear hearv delay. Information received by the '* Ellington Post Office shows that the violence of the storm has been well up to the forecast. Communication with Wairangi on the French Pass line was also j interrupted this morning. A swish ot the gale brought down a wire just when Paeroa was announcing its plight. The message ran: “The heaviest flood ever known in Paeroa occurred this morning. The streets are submerged three or four feet.”