SUBMERGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 9

SUBMERGED.

LOSS OF STOCK. SETTLERS LEAVE HOMES. APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. On Sunday the Hikurangi swamp was a patch of green. To-day it is an expanse of water, water which extends as far as the eye can see, and which covers practically everything except small teatree and larger trees. Many of the farms are under water, and one eettler said that in an area of .100 acres he had but one acre of dry land. Others, he said, were not so fortunate, some having no high land at all, and it was feared that there would be a heavy loss of stock. It is already known that some stock ha« been lost, but tlio extent of that damage will not be known until conditions permit of mustering. _ This morning the Hikurangi Drainage Area. Settlers' Association sent_ the following telegram to the Minister of Lands, Hon. E. A. Ransom: "The Hikurangi drainage area. —Regret to advise that area is flooded with loss of stock. My committee- requests you to obtain an immediate report re flood levels, area under water, and general conditions. The Minister replied that a report would bo obtained from the chief drainage engineer. Position Serious. Yesterday the water in the swamp was high. To-day it is higher, and the position there is assuming serious proportions. The water continued rising all yesterday, and late in the afternoon several families found it necessary to beat hurried retreats from their houses. At several places the water actually invaded the houses, and settlers had to scramble out with their wives and families through waters sft deep in places. They had to get out as best thev could, and make their escape in ° a Stock loss is serious. One settler stated this morning that lie had feais for 80 dry cows, which are in the swamp area. Their only hope of salvation was to swim to the hillside. Water Supply Cut Off. From 7 a.m. yesterday the Whangarei water supply was cut off. The supp y failed altogether at the district hospital about 3 o'clock, and as water was urgently required, a 200-gallon tank was filled from the hose at the Town Hall and taken to the institution. . However, the . break was repaired earlier than had been expected, and before 4 o'clock all taps were charged once more. , , , . , The areas nearer Frasers Flat, which have been holding up traffic on the Mangakahia route, are now clear, makiii" road communication via Kaikohe possible without using the long detour route via Houto. Likelihood of Slips. Taylor's Flat, on . the WhangareiDargaville road, is 4ft under water, and in this case the Houto detour is still being used. , , With care traffic was able to get through to Whakapara yesterday afternoon. The water, however, is still high, and if the rain continues the main northern highway will again become im.Jpassable. _ ... .... , •