KARAMEA SUFFERS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1929, Page 6

KARAMEA SUFFERS

quake dam bursts,

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WESTPORT, December 39

The Karamea River, arising very rapidly last evening, inundated the township, and caused serious damage to property, and heavy loss to stock. The road was scoured out in many places ,and a small bridge washed away at Arapito. Water was two feet high in the township, and up to the doorstep ot the Post Office. Many homes were inundated by water. The small coastal vessel Ivotiti was in port at the time, but she is safe. Although not definitely established, if is thought an earthquake dam has given away. Although heavy rain has been falling, it was not sufficient to cause such a flood. A great amount of timber was brought down and the water was as thick as pea soup, very similar to the disastrous flood at Seddonville. ’ The flood was at its worst at the peak of tide at eleven last evening, but the river is now falling.

Arapito suffered considerably, .much dairy land being badly silted up. Details at present are meagre, but damage is reported to be very extensive, especially to stock. STORM IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT. WELLINGTON, December 30. Though by all reports better off than most places in regard to holiday weather, AVellington was treated badly yesterday, wind and rain from the north keeping most folk indoors. Minor damage was caused by wind, particularly to gardens. The life-sav-ing display at Island Bay was postponed till New Year's Day. The 5.10 p.m. train from Masterton, consisting of six carriages and two engines, could not get up the Rimutakas owing to the weather and slippery rails. It was split, two carriages being taken up first and the rest afterwards. Afeamvliile for ail hour and a half the train from AVellington was held up at the summit, an unenviable experience for all concerned in this exposed locality. Yesterday’s wind contained frequent gusts of over 90 miles an hour. At 3.40 p.m. a gust of 72 miles an hour was recorded, a recod for AA'ellingtou.