EAST COAST FLOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1916, Page 2

EAST COAST FLOODS.

EXTRAORDINARY RAINFALL. GISBORNE RIVER SILTED UP. . Gisbome, May 18. Hevay rains again fell last night, but the weather appears now to have deinitely cleared. The rainfall in Gisborne since Wednesday totals 10.9S inches. The rivers are now falling rapidly. Commuaication with East Coast districts was partially restored to-day. The damage reported will run into thousands of pounds, but no details can be compiled yet. The record rainfalls since Wednesday are: Waipiro 21.45 inches and Puketiti station 30.10. All traffic is impossible, and mail services are badly disorganised. At Tokbmaru the Waiau rose 24ft on Saturday, and a,- bullock waggon was washed away. The residential part of Oates' butchery was washed away, and Kcane's half-acre township section has disappeared into the river. No Vs of life is known. There is a butler famine in Tokomaru, and people 'have bought up tinned goods from the stores in anticipation of a shortage r.i provisions before communication is restored. The weather is now calm, however, and sea traffic will soon he open. A? a result of the floods the port of Gihborne is badly silted, and the ferry steamer and other vessel? which previously came up to the wharf will have to be tendered in the bay for a week or tv-'oYuntil the dredges put matters right.