WIDESPREAD FLOODS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 79, 15 January 1936, Page 3

WIDESPREAD FLOODS.

RAINS IN AUCKLAND PROVINCE. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO CROPS. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, Jan. 14. Heavy rain fell throughout the Auckland province to-day, resulting in serious flooding in the far north. Boac s in the Kaitaia district were blocked, but no serious damage to the formation has been reported. Fences were washed away, but stock is believed to have escaped. Roads were also blocked in the Hokianga district, and large slips have occurred at Taheke. The water rose more than seven feet in two hours The Waioeka Gorge, between Opotiki and "Gisborne, was temporarily blocked on Monday night and this morning. Service cars, however, were little delayed. The Meremere Hill, on the former main highway between Opotiki and Gisborne, via Motu, was completely blocked by slips. Crops in the Wkakatane district suffered serious damage. The Hunua Gorge road was completely blocked to traffic on Monday night by a largo slip at Suicide Bend, about lour milea from Papakura. A gang of men began clearing the road this morning, and it was hoped that vehicles would be able to use the road to-night. Should heavy rain continue, however, it was thought that a further fall might occur. The weather is reported to have been very humid in the Waikato during the last week, and a, period of dry weather would be welcomed. Warm rains have done much to stimulate the growth of pastures and a season of heavy butterfat production is stated to be assured. Late reports from the north are as follows: Exceptionally heavy rain, causing considerable ' flooding, lias fallen throughout the Hokianga and Kaitaia districts during the last IS hours. This evening, however, the weather is more settled? and the rain has eased off considerably. All roads in the Hokianga county are blocked, and at Taheke the water rose more than seven feet in two hours. While some big slips occurred at Whirinaki, no great damage to roads is reported. The Mood waters are approaching Kaitaia, and are rapidly rising just south of the town, but are receding at Takahuo and the Victoria Valley.' Traffic on all roads is held up, and the delivery of cream to the butter factory at Awanui has been dislocated. On a number of by-roads several slips and washouts have occurred.