THE GALE

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4456, 31 August 1909, Page 3

THE GALE

“ DIDO ” VISITS TE AROHA

WAIHOU river overflows its BANKS

DAMAGE IN THE DOMAIN

The exceptionally fine winter weather experienced of late, ttrniinated suddenly on Friday, and throughout the night it blew a regular gale, and rain came down in torrents. Saturday morning broke with rain still pouring down, and it continued so doing intermittingly throughout the day. For twenty-four hours, cofnmencing Saturday morning, the observatory in the Te Aroha Domain (Mr Geo. F. McGirr, observer), recorded , .that 9J inches of rain fell, something of a for these parts, while from Sunday to Monday only a J of an inch of tain fell.

The weather had a detrimental effect upon business, and shopkeepers report very poor takings. The flood, as far as Te Aroha is concerned, was within four inches of the memorable January flood two years ago. Some people consider the river rose higher. In some parts the stretch of water was over a mile wide. Throughout Saturday night those living near the river bank became alarmed at the rapidity with which the Waihou rose. In two hours—between 9 and 10 o’clock—it rose two feet.

Messrs Alison’s and Fred Devey’s homesteads in Rolleston-street became surrounded and mud and water took possession of the floor space, and compelled the occupants to leave in the middle of the night. The Northern Steamship Company’s large corrugated iron shed at the foot of Bridge-street was soon flooded, but the local manager, Mr A. Lang, who zealously guards the interests of his clients, did not take any risks, and had the goods lifted off the floor on to staging erected for the purpose, consequently very little damage resulted as far as the shed and contents were concerned. Mr J. B. Johnson’s shed on the river bank was flooded, and a quantity of boned ust covered by the fresh. Looking towards Mr Murphy’s bridge approaches, it could be seen that the continual washing of the flood water had caused a lot of the banks to fall in. Mr Murphy will be a considerable loser, and this will prove yet another set back to the completion of his Kenrick-street contract.

, The damage to the Te Aroha Domain is somewhat of a serious nature, and will take both time and money to repair. It is estimated that over £IOO will be required to make good the loss. The major portion of the trouble was caused through a slip occt—ring across the gully in the upper reaches of the grounds, above the Octagon drinking spring. The mass of earth blocked the

rushing water for some time and the dam rose higher and higher across the gully, until eventually the whole mass carried away and crashing through the undergrowth headed through the Domain, passing between No. 1 bath-house and the Octagon and tearing down the asphalt paths, cutting great ruts on either side, the L niass of debris found its way right to the newly-formed bowling green and emptied itself therein. The green was quickly filled with water and muck, and the overflow of rubbish was carried out into the street, Most of the rubble was, however, left strewn from one end of the park to the other. The new “ grepn ” presents a pitiable flight.

The work of clearing away the the rubbish is being proceeded with, and doubtless Mr Dalton and his men will j»pon put a different complexion upon the Btate of affairs.

MANGAITI.

All the low-lying country is under water, and the volume of water almost reached that of the big Jan u ary flood some two years ago, and one which of ns had good cause to remember. '■ The railway line between Tirohia and Mangaiti was under water, so much so that it was not deemed advisable to use the line. The flood is subsiding, shewing the damage to the line is of no great moment, the ballast has been washed away in places, but the midday express passed through alright. Mr Johnson’s flaxmill, wlnH was undergoing a overhaul preparatory to starting, is surrounded by the flood water.

Mr F. W. Mace had difficulty in getting his cattle on to high ground but succeeded without losing many. The road leading to the bridge being under water, the settlers on the east side of the river could not get through on Monday morning, but Mr Chas. Mace got most of the suppliers’ milk into his waggon and carted it to the Waihou Factory. Although late in the day reaching there, Mr Morrow ran it through, thus saving them losing two days’ milk. On Sunday morning several horsemen attempted to ride across the bridge, but their attempt proved futile. The current was very strong,

MANAWARU.

We received our fair share of the recent rains, but our main drains did tbe ; r work well, and pumped the water out into the willow-entwined river. The river, however, proved incapable of the •train, with the usual result that all lowlying country became inundated. The roads are a bit sloppy with silt, etc., but nothing serious.

GORDON.

lake the rest of the Valley, Professor Wfagge’s “ Dido ” did her best to flood Us out, but we still regain to tell the tale. The creeks were all tunning bank high and spreading over the low country, Several of the bridges were put to a severe test, logs, boulders, etc., crashing into the structures with tremendous force,

The Wairere Falls could be distinctly heard roaring in the distance, and a party driving along the road on the opposite side of ths4river, spites the signt was a really magnificent One to behold.

The approach to the Shaftesbury bridge has washed away, and settlers were unable to cross the river, so were compelled to bring their milk supply to Gordon.

The big filling on the Tauranga Moana Road has carried away and it will cost 4rfcidy sum to put things right again. Several sheds were ttnroofea and small buildings raised to the ground. ; So far no serious losses have been reported.

WAIORONGOMAI

The weather once again claims attention from these parts. “ Dido ” arrived true to time and according to the prophesy of Wragge. Eain ! My word it did rain, and the water raced down the hillsides in a seething massA good deal of damage has taken place along the tramline, and it will take something like £6O to put things right again. Blips and washouts have

taken place all along the line, but the principal damage is between Butler s and the May Queen Spurs. A number ol big trees fell across the tram carring the line and ballast down the hillside, t Various Blips have taken place along the Hill Track, and trees block the way in places. One of the workmen’s shanties was blown to pieces.

WAITOA.

Like the rest of the province this district got its fair share of “ Dido,” and in parts it is hard to distinguish drains from roads.