Rain and Flood.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 53, 7 March 1904, Page 2

Rain and Flood.

HAIL,WAY TRAFFIC RESUMED, (Pa 1 Press Association.) DUNEDIN, March 5. Railway communication was everywhere restored on Saturday afternoon, except 011 the Catlina oranuh. DAMAGE AT WAIItOA. WAIIIOA (H.n.), March 0. Dreat damage was done by the flood to the concrete sen wall heads, all except one section boing swept away. Jfc will probably cost £SOO to reinstate the wall. About twenty piles of thu western wull swept, away. FLOODS AT OPOTIKI. AUCKLAND, Marali fl, A serious flood was experienced at Opotiki on Wednesday, practically every inch of ground in tho township being under water, which was from 10 to 12 feet deep in some parts. Lifeboats from the steamers! Mnngapapa and Waiotahi were engaged for several hours in rescuing residents from houses. Large boats und Maori canoes were rowed through all the streets, the watec' the main street being live • deep. A large number of pf. rso]lß took refuge on steamers and L iha hotels. The damage to pre »»"'*' WATR'r Tho heavy rains 011 Friday evening and night caused several miniature flood* iu tll( , Urn nimbi ool ' 1, ( t01 '" 1 - w ' ltul > eiuinneis befor a mi .ttith the flood 01 a little while. This trouble however, was of brief duration. At tho Ilenui. however, a moru serious Htute of affairs existed, isonio time, apparently, about midnight the water, in the stream rose "apidlv und brought down a (luuntity of • timber which lodged against fhe old bridge, which is now in process of demolition. Thu struct.iru supporting the water main conveying the town supply from the water works has been partly dismantled, and temporary supports were placed tinder the pipe. ! hese became dislodged by the flood waters, which rose to a height of about ten feet above normal, 'the water main then sagged down until one of the joints broke, and the town supply was cut off.. A staff of men was got together as early as possible, under Mr T. Smith, tlie turn-cock,assisted by Mr E. M. Smith, and the break ' was ropuired.