DISASTROUS FLOOD

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 8

DISASTROUS FLOOD

SETTLERS MAROONED.

RIVER BRIDGE WRECKED.

DAIRY FACTORY CLOSED DOWN

WATERS RECEDING AT IBID-DAY.

<By Telegraph.—Press Aasoelntion.) CARTERTON, this day. The flood raging in the South Wairarapa is described as the most serious experienced, for 20 year*. To-day the flood waters were epreadin<r further afield. The position at Kokotau had not improved, and many ect+lers, particularly in the Ahiaruhe soldier settlement, "were practically marooned on their separate islands. In some instances the water entered dwelling*, but not to any great depth. A number of cow eheds were inundated, and the settlere were compelled to milk their cows in the bails of their neighbour*. Air. H. R. Renall, of Kokotau, and Mr. W. M. Jury, of Ponaltahi, were both cut off from all but telephone communication, and though they have plenty of flour and bacon, they have no bread and other supplies. Various groceries were sent out for them to-day, but the problem was to deliver them. The case of Mr. Renall is particularly hard. Ho has to separate the whole yield of all hie cowe night and morning , , and as this has been going on for (three daye his cane have ibeen rilled witli cream and he has nowhere to store milk. Quite recently Mr. Renall shifted liis- houee, which was formerly right on the river bank. The old site has now completely disappeared. No losees of stock are reported yet. FurtJher down the valley, in the Kahutara and Tuhitarata district, the condition is even woree. The excessive rise in the Ruamahunga River caused the water to break over a maesive etopl>ank, which had been erected, and the country, which has been immune from flood for years past, is now covered. All the high country is covered with eheep, cattle and homes. The Tuhitarata dairy factory has ceased operations, on account of water entering the factory, and milk suppliee are now being sent to the Pirinoa factory, which ie hard put to it to cope with the extra supply. The eame ap- : plies to the Kokoteu factory, which ie receiving supplies from, the Ahiaruhe settlement. It was reported at 11, a.m. to-day that the Kuamahaniga River fell four inches, but during the night it again roee to its highest level. Toward morning it fell, but it again rose. At eight o'clock it had fallen fire inches, but it is again rieing. The Kokotaa Bridge has been wrecked. One epan of 30ft collapsed into the river, carrying with, it the temporary piers recently erected to support it. The postal eerricee are eeriouely upset, and Ahittiib*, Kokotau and Poaataki ore completely cut off. , (Reports at 11.30 ajm. stated that the wafcer had fallen two feet and the weaithor we* improving.