HEAVY RAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1931, Page 5

HEAVY RAIN

bridge washed away. GREYMOUTH, November 21. The rainfall yesterday was fairly welcome on the West Coast after the preceding warm spell of weather, and the pastures and gardens should benefit, but while locally the showers were light and steady, it was ; otherwise along the Coast Road, and especially at the other side of liarrytown. The traffic bridge over Lawson’s Creek, about five miles to the north of Barry town, was yesterday washed away and tlie road is now impassable. There was a phenomenal rainfall in the Barrytown district, and it is thought that there must have been a cloudburst, as ti e rivers wese in higi er flood than ever they had been seen before. The bridge, one of a single 25-foot span, had concrete abutments, and was built some 22 years ago. The extraordinarily heavy flow of water undermined the abutment at the- northern end and caused the damage. The road will be closed to traffic for at least a couple of days.

WELCOME RAINS.

FALLING IN CANTERBURY

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, November 20,

Much needed rain began to fall .this afternoon all over the Canterbury -province. The fall was light, hut was continuous until nightfall, but then it increased in intensity, and no\y fi. steady, soaking rain is falling , in Christchurch, The rain will do much good in restoring the parched pastures, but it has come rather late to save many of the oats and wheat crops. Some of these in the drier districts are already being fed off. , In any event now, the wheat crops will be light. The rain will improve the prospects for fat sheep and lambs for export, hut the long dry spell has done permanent damage- ini the case -of lambs, many of which will not he ready for early sale, and will have to he held for the > rape crops later.