TORRENTIAL RAIN IN WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 4

TORRENTIAL RAIN IN WELLINGTON

Many Slips Caused

DAMAGE DESCRIBED AS SERIOUS

Torrential rain in Wellington on Wednesday night, coming as a climax to the persistently wet’weather of Iho last six weeks, precipitated many slips and caused damage which the city engineer, Mr. K. E. Luke, yesterday described as serious. There had been a number of slips previously, some of a recurring type, and the engineer reported to the city council on Wednesday that the removal of the spoil and the erection of necessary retaining walls might cost about £15,009. Councillors are to make a tour to view the slips on October 27. The rainfall in Wellington this year lias been unusually heavy, totalling 50 inches already, compared with the average for a complete year of 42.9 inches. The average rainfall for October is only 3.62 inches, but this year, with half the month still to go, 5.52 inches have fallen. In the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterdav the fall was 2.17 inches. The worst slip on Wednesday night was in the lower part of Birdwood Street. It contained 700 yards of spoil and crossed the road in two places. Buses were able to-pass by mounting the footpath. Men were at work before midday clearing the slip with mechanical loaders. Heavy flooding occurred on the Hutt Road, holding up motorists. Street and drainage workers were on the job all night in the city clearing blocked culverts.

A small slip just past the northern entrance to Taita Gorge held up traffic for several hours. A track was cleared 'by 10 a.m. It is (thought that further falls there may occur under similar conditions in the future, and the idea of constructing a road along the hillside well above the gorge road may have to be reconsidered. Measures taken some months ago to ease the flood danger in thq low-lying parts of Karori have stood well the test of recent heavy rains. The gravel trap in Karori Park, however, is now itself regarded as some danger, through the gravel being built up, where a dear passage should be maintained for storm water.

The overflow of sewage is another problem-—and it is still causing serious anxiety to some residents of Karori. Some .properties yesterday morning were left strewn with filth after the water which gushed from the sumps had receded. The Karori Progressive Association some time ago interviewed the Minister of Health about the trouble, feeling that the health of the community would be endangered unless some remedy were found.

The city engineer said yesterday that it was recognized that the need for relief was urgent. He had been constructing a relieving sewer, but till labour was available for this work, which had been before the council for many years, the remainder. of the work could not be put in hand. '