MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 15 July 1929, Page 5

MOTUEKA

DISTRICT AGAIN FLOODED EROSION BY RIVER, CAUSES ' ALARM During the week-end Motueka - expe-, rienced another flood almost as great as that of the previous week. Heavy rain fell continuously throughout Friday night arid the greater part of Saturday. Residents' in the northern and western sections of the borough again had" their house's surrounded by water, causingconsiderable damage, to property and discomfort;. to occupiers. Many residences in High street south (from the Swan Hotel to the Cottage Hospital) were entirely surrounded. Properties from York's coalyarti to Mrs L. Eastern's were well flooded, the latter having a vegetable and flower garden inundated with water-to a depth of two feet. On Saturday service cars were unable to proceed to Nelson, owing to impassable roads at the Moutere. Tradesmen were unable to make deliveries beyond the -borough, Riwaka and surrounding districts being cut off. ENCROACHMENT BY MOTUEKA RIVER In one of Mr A. Grooby's paddocks, adjoining Mr J. A. McGlash'en's property, fast'flowing water tore away a stop bank for -several chains, cut a channel seven to eight feet deep and a chain wide and formed a river. This new stream runs through properties owned by Messrs Parks. Atkins, Boyes and Fry and terminates in. a lagoon at Staples, near ; the Motueka bridge. » On Sunday afternoon, after .the flood waters had somewhat subsided, a parly, consisting of the Mayor (Mr S. P. Clay), councillors and interested residents made a tour of inspection, commencing at Mr ,A: Grooby's paddock. On the other side of the stop bank, a portion of the road, leading to Mr J. A. McGlashen's old hqmestead, had been washed -entirely away, a miniature waterfall taking its. place." The party continued from here, often knee-deep in water and mud, back towards the main river. After crossing properties owned by Messrs Christensen and Simpson", a point was reached where the whole area presented the appearance of a river bed, mounds of silt and gravel covering acres of land. The final part of the tramp, which ended at the Motueka river, was over slippery and water-log-ged ground. The waters of the river appeared to be spreading out in all 'directions. It was the opinion of those well acquainted with the river that it had undergone many changes during the last ten days, and; certainly not in a way likely to benefit nearby settlers. One of the parly estimated that fully fifty acres of sheep country, a section of Mr'L. Sinclair's farm, had been claimed by the river or rendered of little value. In Air Sinclair's raspberry garden the soil has been washed away between rows in one part, and in another the canes were well silted up. Mr Sinclair said he had been compelled, through last week's flood, to dispose of half his flock and would now have to sell more, as he had not the land to graze them. His original farm, a few years ago, consisted of about 130 acres: lie is now loft with iibout 30 acres.

After viewing the damage, the Mayor decided to convene a meeting on Tuesday next for (he purpose of giving the matter serious consideration. Unquestionably something will have to be done in the near future to deflect the waters of the Motueka river, for not only will Mr Sinclair suffer further damage, but other farmers, whose lands are situated between (he former's properly and the bridge. It has also to be taken into consideration that now that tho

river has carved out a new channel, a large area of Motueka will be in danger of serious flooding after heavy rains unless protection work is undertaken. THE MOUTERE , The Moutere district had its share of floods again during Friday night ' and Saturday. Mr F. Teece, ITarnkekc, who lost two valuable stacks a week ago, has on this occasion had several acres of land washed away. A two-roomed whare, belonging to Mr Shallcrass, Braeburn, was swept, away by the river, while Mr A. Kemp of the same district lost n portion of his farm. Several chains of the Nelson road near Mr Mackay's have been damaged through erosion of the Moutere river and rendered dangerous to traffic. SERVICE CARS Service cars were able to resume running to-day on all temporarily interrupted routes. The Public Works Department has not received information of any serious damage to main highways. HEAVY RAINFALL For the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday the rainfall recorded by, 'the Cawthron Institute was 1.45 inches. During the succeeding 24 hours the fall was .06 inches. WEATHER FORECAST The indications are for southerly winds, moderate to strong to gale. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled. Rain is probable and snow on the high country. Cold temperatures are expected. The barometer is rising slowly. Sea rough, tides good.