WIDESPREAD FLOOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1940, Page 4

WIDESPREAD FLOOD

TAIERI DISTRICT UNDER WATER f v MANY HOMES EVACUATED, s :• HUNDREDS OF SHEEP PERISH, f L (By Telegraph—Press Asscciation.) DUNEDIN, May 8. One of the worst floods in the hisi tory of the Taieri district has caused e crippling loss to many farmers on these - fertile plains, and threatens to sweep away the results of a year’s hard ef- / fort for many others. i The rain has inundated not acres but I square miles of farming country adi jacent to Dunedin and created a scene 3 of desolation which has to be seen to be believed. For 20 miles there was not a - square yard of dry land to be seen . this afternoon. In that watery waste 3 it was impossible to estimate the stock 3 losses or homes that virtually had been - washed away. The rising tide this afternoon banked the flood waters on the 3 Taieri higher and higher, but the ins cesant downpour, more relentless in i the back country, raised possibilities at '. a late hour tonight that are incalculable. 1 The actual material losses, to say - nothing of winter feed destroyed, are ' inconsiderable when placed beside the - devastation of rural homesteads, evacuated throughout the day, mostly by 3 boat. 1 Late this afternoon boats were con- , veyed to the flood areas by motor-. - lorry, and 20 men, with specially s equipped ambulances, stood by to assist in the evacuation of marooned settlers and their families. Early in the day word was broadcast that the Taieri River at Middlemarch was higher than it had been for 20 years. This information was telephoned to Dunedin and given out over the air. As a result thousands of sheep and cattle were moved to higher country and inestimable loss was avoided. Nevertheless, horses suffered severely in some areas, and hundred of sheep • have perished. Cattle, on the other , hand, appear to have fared much ! better. BRIDGES SUFFER SEVERAL HIGHWAYS BLOCKED. CRARI RIVER BURSTS BANKS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU, May 8. As a result of the steady rain in the past four days, all rivers of South Canterbury are in high flood, large areas are inundated, and much damage has been done to root crops. The Orari River burst its banks at several places, near Clandeboye, between Temuka and the coast, and four families had to be taken from their homes. In the opinion of one settler, the water has not been higher in the last 40 years. The Geraldine-Fairlie highway is blocked as the result of the washing away of Skipton Bridge, and considerable damage is reported in other parts of Geraldine county. The approaches of several bridges have been washed away, and replacement will cost thousands. The Main South Road is blocked as the result of the washing away of the north approach to Waihao Bridge. There are two detours, and both of these are blocked. BANK GIVES WAY POSSIBLE THREAT TO MOSGIEL. SETTLERS IN AREA WARNED. • DUNEDIN, May 8. Shortly before midnight a serious break occurred in the Taieri River embankment near Allanton. Settlers in the area were advised by radio that the break might prove serious, and were advised to take adequate steps to vacate their premises. Though the effect of the break could not be gauged, it was suggested that Mosgiel might be seriously threatened.