HEAVY FLOODS IN POVERTY BAY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 10

HEAVY FLOODS IN POVERTY BAY.

RAILWAY LINE SERIOUSLY

DAMAGED

BRIDGES IN GISBORrrr. ISOLATED

'press association- tki,egram.) GISBOIINE. May 1.9 (11.30 p.m.) The floods reached their maximum at high tide in the early hours of this morning, and with the ebb the flood commenced to recede, and the water has been steadily running out all day. At their worst stago the floods were within twolve inches of the 1910 flood record. Tho taken all round, were well warned, and stock-losses ar© comparatively slight. Frank Read, of Pouparae, lost 40Q sheep, and A. J. Cameron, of Poiiparae, also lost some stock. Judd Bros., of Makuri, also suffered some losses. The washouts and slips on the railway are very serious, and traffic will be entirely suspended for a week. The approaches to the Grey street bridge and tho Peel street biidgo, in the town, are washed out, thus cutting off vehicular traffic with the railway station. The low-level Public Works bridge on the Napier construction works is again threatened, the approaches Having been washed away. The seas on the coast are very heavy, and tho Petonc, which arrived from Picton, experienced the roughest and most tempestuous passage in Captain Cowan's 16 years' experience of the coast.

Telephonic communication "with inland centres is subject to interruption, and telegraphic communication with €he 6outh is uncertain.

The rain and storm have abated somewhat, and indications point to a break in the weather.