THE WEATHER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 20 March 1907, Page 2

THE WEATHER

HEAVY RAINFALL GENERAL. Per Press Association. Masterton, March 1!). I he rainfall for the previous 24 hours was just over ;|i/„ inches. Nearly all the rivers arc in higher Hood Uian for a long time FtOODs: IX THE IRTT. ' WELLINGTON WATER KL'PPLY COT OFE.

Wellington, March 10. the heavy rain during the pa'-l few days has caused a great How of water in the llutl river, near the mouth of wlucli Gear Island has divided (lie river into two channels. Over these channels arc built bridges to carry pipes for the cily's water supply from Wainuioniata. Recently the tintt, River Hoard diverted the water from the westonm,' channel, so that the whole flow of ?lariver passed through the eastern channels. News comes from the llutt this morning that the heavy ||oo,| tins washed nway about a chain and a half of tlie eastern hridge nnd pipes, cutting otr completely the main water supply of Wellington, which has now to rely on the Karori reservoir, which can vinly supply for a. limited period. lletails are not available.

REPAIRS WILL TAKE THREE WEEKS. Wellington, March lfl. About 100 feet of pipe hridge over the Hutt river was washed away, and it is roughly estimated that the repairs to the water mains and bridge will lake some three weeks. Meanwhile the e'ty will have to rely on the Karori reservoir, which has a storage capacity of s(i million gallons. 'Roughly speaking, the daily consumption of the c'ty is three and'a, half million gallons. It is hoped to reduce this to two millions during the shortage. Already all persons using 'water for hmaSncss purposes hciA have been notified that the supply is to he cut oft" ov restricted.. Later. The city engineer hopes to he able to meet the' difficulty arising from the break in the water mains by turning «n the supply from the Karori auxiliary reservoir to the higher levels during certain hours of the night. It is expected repairs to the Wainui main will occupy three or four weeks. Add Snevic. REPORTS FROM WOODVILLE. AVoodiville, Majfcli 111. After 48 hours' rain all the rivers in the district are in heavy flood. The whole of the low-lying country round Woodvillc is under water. The Masterton road is under water for nearly a mile. There has been no serious Coinage, though the approaches to several small bridges have been washed away. The rain has ceased, but the weather is still gloomy. The only interruption to railway communication is that with Masterton.

TRAINS STUCK UP. Carterton, March 10. Heavy rains caused the river to rise at Ruaniiihanga higher than it has been since 1805. when the bridges were washed away. Low lands at Daletield are under water. A goods train was blocked in the south by a slip between the Summit and Kaitoke, and in the north by a slip between Mauriceville and ManganiabOe. The Wellington train this morning was stuck up at Kaitoke. BIG SLIPS ON NAPIER LIKE. Eketaliuna, March 10. During the last three days 7.41 inches of rain fell. Last night the "wild cat" train from Maslerton to Woodvillc was about four and a half miles below Eketaliuna when a slip fell on the trucks. The engine was detached, and started for Eketaliuna to report, but met another large slip. Another slip falling behind it separated it from the rest of the train. There are now three slips on the line, the largest estimated at -1000 tons. Railway traffic, is suspended, as trains are unable to connect.

Every available man is at work clearing the line. Train service is considered impossible before evening. PAIAIERSTON WATER SERVICE CUT OFE. Palmcrston North, March 10. The Manawatu was ill heavy flood this morning. Considerable damage was done to the Hokowliitu protective works, the main being broken in two places. At the Tiritea head works the small bridges were carried away, and the town supply was cut off. A service, is now supplied from a sma'l reservoir. It is expected that the damage will be repaired in a few days. Slight damage is reported to properties along the river near Palmerstou.