CONDITIONS IN FRANKLIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 173, 24 July 1928, Page 7

CONDITIONS IN FRANKLIN.

POKENO ROAD FLOODED. LITTLE DAMAGE ELSEWHERE. (By Telojrraph.—Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE. this day. Although it has been raining almost continuously since midnight on Saturday there are only slight indications of a flood on the lowlands adjacent to Pukekohc. It was reported that tlio rukekohcBuckland Road was impai-sable, but on an inspection it was found that much more rain is required l>efore the water overflows the road. The creeks arc running high. and there are ponds of water in many places, particularly in the vicinity of the racecourse. Until this morning the pound absorbed most of the water and there was a conspicuous absence of mud. The weather this morning was showery and there was a prospect that it would improve. The winter has been a very mild one, and the district has appreciated the rain as beneficial to the potato crops, and with a warm atmosphere they should get an excellent start. No damage to roads lias been reported in Franklin County, excepting the flooding of the Pokeno-Paeroa highway in the Maungatawhiri Valley, which is expected after even a normal rainfall. This state of affairs will continue until the work of straightening the creek and diverting the water into another channel is undertaken. The estimated cost is £17,500. Proposals are now before the Public Works Department. A Government subsidy of £250 has been granted for the clearing work, and the engineer was authorised to proceed at the last meeting of the council, but the weather broke and he was unable to start. It is expected that when completed the work will give a measure of flood relief.