THAMES’ TURN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 8

THAMES’ TURN

BUILDINGS INUNDATED TWO HOTELS DAMAGED NIGHT SPENT ON ROOF (Special to Times) THAMES, Thursday. Thames and a large part of the Hauraki Plains came in for their share yesterday of the severe floods experienced in other parts of the North Island. After a deluge of rain the Piako River Hooded and about 10 p-m. the stopbank at Hotal broke. Pipiroa and Kopuarahi residents were unable to leave their houses. Water Invades Houses Several residents of Pipiroa found water flowing through their houses. The ferryman at Pipiroa. Mr R. Welsh, and his family had an unenviable time. Tho water invaded their house to such an extent that they had to take refuge on : he roof, where they spent a wretched nicht in the pouring rain and strong wind. Hundreds of acres are flooded from Pipiroa to Waitakaruru. Where possible farmers arc moving stock to higher country. The loss in pigs and sheep is stated to be very heavy. The water poured over the stopbank on the eastern side of the Piako River and flooded country to a depth of 2ft. for some miles toward Orongo. This water met the overflow from the Waihu River, which flooded at Turua. Railway Affected. Kopuarahi is still a sea of water, and cattle are seeking refuge on the main road, the only high place in the area. The whole area from the railway line to the Waihou River Is flooded at Wharepoa. Mr G. Bax's farm is stated to be ruined. Properties at Grahamstown, Thames, suffered considerably as a result of a high flood last night. The Park Hotel, on the foreshore near the north railway station, had 4ft. of silt-laden water covering its floors. Wallpapers and furniture were damaged, and the licensee estimates his loss at over £2OO. The Lady Bowen Hotel was also flooded, but the proprietor had previously moved his effects to the upper storey.

GALE CREATES HAVOC BAY OF PLENTY INCIDENTS (special to Times.) WHAKATANE, Thursday A violent gale did little damage on the Rangitaiki Plains roads, all the main highways being open. Traffic to Gisborne was blocked, however, by a slip at Trafford's Hill, in the Waioeka Gorge. Toll telephone lines suffered extensively. The new beach line to the East Coast, via Opotiki, was washed out by the seas, and fallen trees broke the Whakatane-Tauranga circuit. The sea broke through the Matata Lagoon and the waves were crossing the highway. A motorist was caught and had difficulty in getting his car out. Much damage was done In the Te Puke district. Residents of No. 2 Road wei*e startled at 7 p.m. by the crash of a large bluegum tree, which fell across the road and struck a car parked under its shelter. The car was extensively damaged. A motorist had a narrow escape from injury near Pukehina, when a large bough fell across the bonnet of his car. For the 24 hours to 9 a.m. this morning 1.1 Sin. of rain was recorded in Whakatane. COLLAPSE OF BRIDGE SERVICE CAR'S DROP DRIVER ESCAPES INJURY (Special to Times.) TAURANGA, Thursday. Disaster overtook the .MatamataTauranga service car yesterday morning when it reached the Mangahuruhuru bridge on the Kaimai road, which was damaged recently and had been repaired temporarily. As the car was passing over the bridge a span collapsed and precipitated the vehicle into the river. The bridge decking came away under the car and this kept the vehicle out of the water. There were no passengers. Mr L. Radford, the driver, escaped injury. A workman was carried into the river when the collapse occurred and a large broken beam missed his head by inches. lie was not injured. The service car was slightly damaged. TOSSED ON LAKE ROTORUA PLEASURE CRAFT DAMAGED (Special to Times) ROTORUA, Friday Tossed about like corks in the waves which swept across Lake Rotorua during the height of a storm on Wednesday night and early yesterday morning, the majority of the fishing and pleasure craft moored off the wharl' dragged their anchors and were washed ashore into the reeds, while severe structural damage was caused to several of the larger craft. Evidence of the havoc wrought by the storm was to be seen yesterday, when there was a continual line of craft of all descriptions, from large launches to small rowboats, lying stranded on the beach and in the shallow reed-covered portion of the shore, while the height reached by the waves could be seen from the driftwood and debris which was strewn along the banks. (Continued In next column;

LAUNCH WRECKED DRIVEN ASHORE IN GALE Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Friday The 4Oft. launch Lancia, owned by Mr E. Lannam. of Auckland, went ashore in West Bay, Pahiki Island, on Wednesday afternoon in a southerly gale and was badly battered, becoming almost a total wreck. The owner was in charge at the time and he and another man on the launch landed uninjured. The launch was towing a barge heavily laden with red shingle. The tow rope became fouled in the propeller and the launch drifted ashore. The tug Romo left Auckland yesterday morning with salvage gear, and attempt will he made to repair the launch and float her off. LOSS OF FIFTY SHEEP OPOTIKI. Thursday. Mu£h damage is reported in various parts of the district as the result of tlie gales and high tide. A mob of sheep were trapped in a holding paddock at Wainui. Despite desperate efforts to rescue them it is estimated that nearly 50 were lost.