TORRENTIAL RAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1933, Page 6

TORRENTIAL RAIN

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE OCCURS.

RAILWAY 'SERVICER INTER-

RUPTED 1 .

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

TAUMAPDXUI, March 22

A terrific downpour of rain between

eight o’clock and midnight last night caused widespread damage in the Taumanmui district, and the most serious dislocation fo services In the history of the main trunk line. The limited express from ’Auckland was derailed a mile north of Okahukara shortly before midnight. The train, carrying 120 passengers who miraculously escaped injury passed over a subsidence, and about forty feet of rail shot in the air behind the train. The squill wheels of the engine were buried in the garth and the front bogey of the carriage went off th e rails, also the drag van at the rear of the train.

When the through coupling broke the other carriages remained on the line but the lighting .system was not affected. The passengers remained oj> the train overnight, a relict' train going out from Tiunwirunui early this morning. They arrived here between eight and nine o’clock, and it will be some time before the line is clear. '

The express train from Wellington which reaches Taumarunui. at 12.30 a.m. ran into a slip near Oio, and the engine buried her nose in the mud, but ■.■ there was no derailment. Subsequently the line was cleared, end. the train proceeded to Owhango where it was held up by further slips and washouts between (Owhanga. and Taumarunui. ~ V The limited from Wellington was also held up at lihakune. The hydro electric works at Piriaka were Hooded and the light failed at one o’clock this morning and tile plant is still out of action.

The river swept over the groynes between Matapuna bridge land Taumaranui, the main robd between Tauniarunui saleyards- and Matapuna bridge being under water. The Mayor (Mr C. A. Poles), realising the danger, organised rescue parties, headed by the fire brigade and police. .

Practically every house on the fiat and at Matapua has teen evacuated. The water is almost waist deep in somo streets on the flat, also in the houses. The current was so strong that many women, most of whom were in keeping attire, had to be assisted by rescuers.

The water seemed to rise in a few minutes with the result, no one could save their belongings Many, unaware of the danger, were awakened by rescuers to find their beds surrounded by water. One rescuer, found a boy floundering in deep water, and saved him from drowning. - In another, instance the rescuer himself disappeared.- in, the deep washout, and had to- swim out.

The flood reached its highest point fit 11 a. m., and thereafter subsided. Very little rain foil after midnight. The wefither is now fine.

In the outlying districts much damage is reported. Many bridges are down and there ‘are slip's and washouts all over the country. The main highway north 1 is blocked by la large washout a mile from Taumarunui.

OVER 7 INCHES IN 24 HOURS

/WELLINGTON, March 22.

The express for Auckland leaves Thorndon to-day a« usual, and passengers will he transhipped from the point five miles south, of Taumarunui.

The meteorological office reports that 7■} inches of rain fell at the Chateau Tongariro yesterday.

FLOODS AT GISBORNE

GISBORNE, March 22

Heavy rain has fallen along the eastern seaboard. Gisborne r eg'steveu five inches fact night. Matawai reports 3.44 inches in the last 24 hours. •Service cars for Auckland are blockedboth on Waioeka and Motu valley routes, owing to flooded streams. The main road at M>fu, fs waist deep near the post office. Telegraph communication to the north ,and south is temporarily interrupted.