DAMAGE BY RAIN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 85, 4 January 1935, Page 11

DAMAGE BY RAIN

Torrential Downpour

AUCKLAND SHOPS FLOODED Water Affects Stocks By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, January 3. Staffs of many .shops situated toward the lower end of Queen Street were laeed with a disheartening sight ml arriving at work to-day, as a result of the torrential rain on the previous afternoon. The basements of several premises were Hooded to a depth of from six inches to two feet, while at least one shop the ground door itself was covered with water which had come through three floors, causing serious damage to stock on each floor. The greatest damage was caused to Woolworth’s stock, but in this case it was not through flood water from the street or drainage mains The guttering on the roof overflowed and a considerable volume of water found its way through three floors to the basement. Large quantities of underwear, towelling and fancy goods were damaged on each floor, and in the basement over 40 cartons of confectionery, each containing from 301 b. to 401 b., were affected by the water. The floor of the shop itself was almost two inches deep ■in water. It is estimated that the damage on these premises amounted to abSut £2OO. A total of 1J inches of rain fell in rhe city in the 24 hours -up to 9 a.m. to-day. The heaviness of the fail varied considerably, even in adjoining suburbs. In one suburb there was a hailstorm and jagged pieces of ice, exceptionally large, made a frightening noise on roofs. RAIN IN CANTERBURY Country People Jubilant By Telegraph.—Press Association. " Christchurch, January 3. After a few showers overnight fairly heavy rain set in over Canterbury this morning, and continued until after noon, thus breaking an almost unprecedented drought of five weeks’ duration. The rain is doing an immense amount of good to pastures, crops, and gardens. “It is the best New Year’s gift the country cpuld have, and it is worth thousands of pounds to the province.” said a prominent farmer. Nearly the whole of the parched and drought-weary province shared in the rain, and reports from the country districts carried a jubilant note of satisfaction. There was practically no wind, and the thirsty soil absorbed the rain as quickly as it fell. The rain continued intermittently throughout the forenoon, and at midday the sky was still heavily overcast. Falls of varying volume occurred over the province. In most instances the rain was steady and gave promise of continuing. TRAFFIC HELD UP By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, January 3. Traffic in the Waioeka Valley was held up yesterday afternoon by swollen streams, as many as 33 cars being counted at one point. Most motorists turned baek and used the Motu Hills .route, but ten of them spent the night on the road. Service cars got through without (liflieulty. Rakauroa reports a rainfall of 4.58 inches during the 24 hours up to 9 a.m. to-day. Mountain streams are running high in the Motu district.

VIOLENT THUNDER AT OTAKI

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Otaki, January 3

A thunderstorm, the worst experienced for maii,y years, occurred last night. The rainfall was exceptionally heavy, but had a beneficial effect on pastures. ______