FIERCE GALE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 July 1929, Page 6

FIERCE GALE

VAGARIES OF THE WEATHER

RIVERS AGAIN IN FLOOD The vagaries of the weather during the last few weeks were again illustrated yesterday, when after a heavy frost in the morning—usually a forerunner of fine days—rain set in during the afternoon. Last night a fierce northeasterly gale raged and continued with unabated fury to-day. Reports from country districts indicate that much rain has fallen and that rivers and creeks are in flood.

For the previous 24 hours up trt 9 1 aim. to-day the rainfall totalled 1.34 in., making 4.34 in. during the month, and 26.26in‘. for the year to date. Trees have been uprooted, including one which fell across the road at Oldham’s Creek, Wakapuaka. Vehicular traffic was blocked until the tree was cut through and removed. Service cars were held up on all routes. It .is reported that there is a flood at Takaka. RAILWAY BLOCKED 7 The railway line is again blocked near Brightwater by a wash-out which occurred during the night. The Wairoa river is' in heavy flood and it was reported this morning that the water,was still rising. The flat country on the south side of Kohatu is all under water. The mprning train could not get through, but a special train was s ent out from Nelson to pick up passengers. ' SPORTS POSTPONED \ Owing to the heavy rain experienced during the night antf to-day all outside sports fixtures were postponed, DOVE BRIDGE DAMAGED The Dove bridge at Thorpe has been damaged, and it is announced by the Waimea County Engineer that’ the Wakefield-Woodstock main highway at this spot is closed to- traffic, pending/ repairs being effected. '/.A AT MOTUEKA “The Alail’s” Motueka correspondent advises that the Lower Aloutere road is again flooded and that Mr Hewitt had to vacate his premises near the Jubilee Bridge, where flood waters reached to the tops of fences. The vicinity of the Swan Hotel is flooded, while at the other end of the township the road is flooded from the bridge to the Catholic Church. The Motueka river is in half-flood and is rising rapidly. > SHIPPING DELAYED The steamer Alatangi struck fairly heavy seas on her trip from Wellington to Nelson last night. She arrived outside the entrance at about 8 o’clock, but owing to the north-easterly gale could not be berthed until 11.15 a.m. The steamer Ngaio, making the crossing in .the opposite direction, arrived at Wellington at the usual* time, 6 a.m. A big sea was running in the Bav today. A TREES ACROSS TELEGRAPH WIRES During the night telephone and telegraph communication with Blenheim and .Motueka was interrupted. Five trees fell across the lines on the Wakapuaka road and flood waters caused the trouble at Motueka. Both lines were restored this morning. While the lines- ; men were working at Wakapuaka .this morning mor e trees came down. MAILS HELD UP The - Chief Postmaster (Air G. W. Hazleton) advises that no overland mails, with the exception of the Nelson - one to Blenheim, were either sent out V or . received to-day, flood waters holding up the cars. The West Coast mail car got as far as Belgrove and had ta return to Nelson. ~