THE GALE IN THE NORTH.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14978, 21 May 1914, Page 7

THE GALE IN THE NORTH.

SERIOUS DAMAGE IN WAIROA

DISTRICT.

(rp.ESS ASSOCIATION TJtLXCBAM.)

WAIBOA, May 20. Unconfirmed reports stato that the Waikari traffic bridge erected by. the Public' Works Department on the Napier-Wairoa road is gone. The total estimated damage caused in the country through the flood is over £5)0,000.

Tno river at last has had ite way; and breached ono of tho walls, causing a gap of some GOO feet in length through tho crown of-tho eastern wall insido tho estuary. ■ Tho breach occurred r'.uriiig the* night when tho flood was at its highest, discharging in the neighbourhood of fifteen million cubic feet per minute. The wnter overlappi ig the wall mado a rush for tho lagoon behind, thus causing tho breach. As instancing tbo severity of the flood and its dangerous potentialities, tho velocity-at tho harbour works was from 25 to 30 feet per second, equal to from 17 to 20 miles per hour. At the town front it was 15 feet per second. : Later.

Tho weather is now clearing, .and tho rivers ar falling slowly. ■ . Since. Sunday, tho Wairoa river up.thelVafkarcmoana road, ros6 twenfiy feet,- But;; tho bridges on the route" arc safe. The:■ Mohaka bridge* which - ' is » 7 T*ln&b)ei; one, stood the groafc strain Well. ; i TBe £ river fell eight fec6 last night. In;tie 'Z Nubaka and Mbforo districts, JittledrV no damage was done. : ■'■'■■, K"V:/ : ' : '-"":;4

(rRKSS ASSOCIATION* —T,KftUlf.) * ' ,-,u GISBORNE, May 20. ; Tho ■weather has vow cleared and the "" flood waters havo sub&ided. . The total rainfall at Gisborne sinco Saturday was * 8.03 inches. For tho month it was • > 12.03 inches. Tho railway traffic is still suspended. ...'..'