MORE HEAVY RAIN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4684, 7 April 1924, Page 2

MORE HEAVY RAIN.

FLOOD LEVELS AGAIN REACHED, WATER IN WHARF SHED. Exceptionally stormy weather was again experienced during the weekend. Heavy rain commenced on Sktui day morning, and has continued almost incessantly up to the time Jf going to press. Earlv this morning a stiff easterly wind, sprang up, accompanied 'ay heavy rain. The Ohinemuri River 1.5 again running bank high, and is bringing a large amount of tinibe, with it, a large portion of which is collecting against the piles of the Crtierion and Railway bridges, the safety of which is causing no little anvietz. The residences of Messrs j. Barrett. J. Conner, C. H. Vincent, and B Sheriff, on the Waihi Road, are again surrounded by flood water, btu so far it has not entered the houses. Farther along the Waihi Road, in the vicinity of Mr G. Buchanan s motor shod, the road is covered with water to a depth of about five feet. Up to mid-day it was impossible to get to the local abattoirs, and as a consequence Paeroa is in the position of having no meat .supplies. About 8 o’clock this morning Mr C. Hudson, with an express and two horses, made an attempt to get through to the abattoirs, and experienced a very unpleasant lime. The road along by Buchanan’s was negotiated safely, but on Marsh’s Flat the horses had vO swim through a raging torrent. After travel 1 ing a short distance under these conditions Mr Hudson deemed it prudent to turn back to Paeroa. Another attempt will be made to rcaen the abattoirs this afternoon. At 10 o’clock this morning there was nearly three feet of water in the Puke wharf shed, but no damage has been reported. The s.s. Waipu, which has taken over the run of the Taniwha, left Auckland last night and was berthed at Netherton this morning. On inquire from the local postmaster advice was received that there wore no telegraphic interruptions. The Paeroa-Waihi railway line has now been temporarily repaired, and the usual services have been resumed. CONDITIONS ON PLAINS. MANY’ FARMS UNDER WATER. The abnormal downpour of 3.23 inches of rain on the atfernoon and evening of Thursday last had varying effects on different parts of the Hauraki Plains. Little, if any, damage was done on the flat areas, as most of the drains have been cleaned to a sufficient extent as to let the water away rapidly. ’ The river on Friday was about high spring tide level, though the narrowness of the Waikaka canal caused it to overflow its banks slightly about the Mangawhero landing. Above Patetonga the lower road to Tahuna was under water. On the hill country west of the Plains the damage was considerable. The bridge across the Waitakaruru stream on the Pokeno road was washed a, way. ami also a quantity of the clay filling on a part of the road near the bridge. As the fascines are still in position the road is very treacherous. It was the intention of the Public YVorks Department to replace the bridge with a bigger structure. Instructions have been given for temporary repairs. The bridge on Mahuta Road be. tween Waitakaruru and Mangatarata, for which tenders for the replacement have just been called, has also been damaged, but apparently only slightly, for the cream from the district bevond was transported over it on Friday morning. Heavy rain continues to fall steadily. the total recorded at 8 a.m. this morning being 6.7 inches. .All die drains are running full, ami in many places have overflowed. Orchard East area suffered the worst in this respect, the water covering many of the farms to a greater nepth than the flood of 12 months ago. Many farms on Piako Road are also under water. Kopuarahi, which suffered severely last year, is comparatively dry, most of the outlets being clean. Shelly Beach is not so well off, though the new Orongo- Road drain has diverted, a great deal of the flood water. At Kerepeehi the river is about normal but at Ngatea it is above spring tide level. Above the Waikaka Bend cut is now under water.