Rain and Earthquakes Bring Slips and Flooding

Following closely upon the severe earthquakes which caused so much damage in Westport and which were felt in Nelson, heavy rain undermined a section of hillside overlooking Tahunanui causing two slips which damaged houses - at least one. of them beyond repair - retaining walls, paths and gardens. Two of the homes, those of Mr and Mrs F. A. Lister, Bisley Avenue, and Mr and Mrs E. I. Ellis, Bisley Avenue, were so severely damaged that in the interests of safety they were evacuated. There is a possibility that the Ellis home might be saved but it is almost certain that the Lister residence will have to be demolished. The only other home which suffered severe damage was that of Mr Les Jones, Rocks Road, but his also may be saved.

Between May 30 and June 1, 4½ Inches of rain was recorded at the weather office at Tahunanui, and of this amount, more than 3½ inches fell in the 24 hours from noon on May 31 to noon on June 1. The heavy rain caused surface flooding throughout the province, and brought down several other slips in the city area. Drains in Richmond could not cope with the storm water and in some areas there was extensive flooding.

The above photograph shows the Tahunanui hillside above Rocks Road and the affected area. Of interest is the escarpment at the top right of the picture. The city engineer believes that the area immediately below and to the left of the escarpment: was formed when the hillside slipped many years ago, forming a basin in which all these houses have been built.

The city engineer, Mr Charlie Kidson, told "Photo News" that in the central area shown below there were actually two slips. The first (labelled No. 1) had a downward movement and affected the property of Messrs Lister, B. N. Weaver, H. D. Rawson, Ellis, and Miss G. R. Davies. The second (labelled No. 2) had a more sideways movement and affected the properties of Mr Shakes, Mr Jones, Mrs Care-Cottrell and Dr.J. T. Campbell.

The home of Mr and Mrs Lister, Bisley Avenue, which has been damaged beyond repair and will have to be demolished

Mr Les Jones had plenty of helpers to take expensive imported glass windows from his house. One window burst with the movement of the house.

Mr Kinson standing on what was once a gently sloping path to Mr Lister's property. The ground dropped at this point.

The Ellis home dropped considerably at the northern end but might be saved

The Minister in Charge of the Earthquake and War Damage Commission, with Mrs Ellis, looks at damage.

It is believed that the Westport earthquake touched off the slips at Tahuna and that deep water sources hastened them. To investigate earthquake claims, Mr Kinsella and members of the commission came to Nelson and inspected properties. They are seen here on the sundeck of the badly damaged Lister home.

The extent to which the Tahuna hillside moved is best shown by this picture. The footpath on Rocks Road for a distance of about 1½ chain, was covered by shifting earth from gardens above.

The house formerly owned by Miss Beatrice Kidson and now by Dr Campbell, Victoria University, was cracked in several places and the concrete paths lifted.

This picture was taken at the height of the rainstorm on May 31. At this stage the Waimea River was bank to bank and raging.

A shingle-crushing plant in the Waimea River, just below the Appleby Bridge, was caught in the flood waters.

When Waimea Stores, Richmond, was inundated, Mrs H. W. Best lent the staff a helping hand.

Vic Drury, proprietor of Crown Dry Cleaners, Richmond, rescues clothing from flooded equipment room.

Who's been watering the beer?

The bridge across the creek at Spring Grove just remained above water level.

A culvert at Redwoods Valley could not cope with the water and washed out a considerable piece of the approach

The flooded Maitai River and high seas wreaked havoc with boats in. new boat harbour, and when tides subsided boats were left holed and high and dry.

A flooded water-course at wainea west

Quarantine road towards the airport was flooded for a distance of about 200 yards and at one stage only big vehicles could use it

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The Nelson Photo News

No 20 : June 23 1962

Rain and Earthquakes Bring Slips and Flooding