HIGH RIVERS.

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

HIGH RIVERS.

FLOODS IN SOUTH.

CAMPS INUNDATED.

REPORTS FROM PROVINCE,

[ Apparently flooding began later in the south of the province than in the north, but there, too, telegraph reports all tell the same story—rivers and streams running bank high and low-lying pastures flooded, and various relief camps under water. At Hamilton the Waikato rose seven feet, and extensive flooding has occurred 111 low-lying properties in the town. Rail?, ceased yesterday afternoon, but started again late last evening and continued steadily till S o'clock-, this morning. It has since resumed.' This morning, rain had stopped, and flood waters had receded slightly. The position, however, is still very serious in tile district. I'armcrs are concentrating all their attention on savin' - * stock and repairing collapsed bridges and culverts.

WAIHOU RIVER UP,

RAILWAY LINE WASHED OTJT

Consequent on a heavy downpour hist night and this morning, the Waihou River again rose, and has reached the highest level for the past five years, states a special message from To Aroha. Water entered the Northern Steamship Company's sheds and Wilson and Canham's works, while quantities of timber from the timber yards were floating about for some hours.

A number of cattle on property near the abattoir which were marooned on a small island for two days were rescued i this morning, J The lower portions of Enia Street and | Russell Avenue were submerged, while , there was a high flood over the main highway at Mangaiti, and road traffic to and from Paeroa. was completely pus- I pended. The railway line was washed out at Waitohi Creek, half-wav to Waeroa. preventing train communication. Reports from Gordon are to the cffect that it has been raining heavily for ■hours, so it is anticipated here that the river will rise further by this evening. The area of low land now flooded runs into thousands of acres, from Gordon j along the river to Paeroa. !

SCOURING OF ROADS

DAIRY HERD RESCUED. A message from Te Puke states that a strong north-easterly wind yesterday and last night accompanied the heaviest rain experienced for many years, resulting in a considerable scouring of the roads and low-lying parts, with the flood water, four feet deep, ilowing across a wide stretch of main highway, two miles and a half from Te Puke. This completely blocked the connection with Jtotorua or Wliakatane. Through a power pole coining down power was cut off at Paengaroa, and the Power Board men had the greatest difficulty in effecting repairs. Many farms situated in the low-lying areas in the vicinity of the Kaituna River are several feet under water. A dairy herd owned by Mr. Kirikau was forced to swim the river to safety. Mr. Kirikau managed tho difficult task of leading some across behind a small boat. By noon to-day the flood had subsided only a foot, and rain is still falling.

WORST FOR YEARS.

te Ktrrri floods. TE KUITI, Wednesday. The worst floods for many years occurred in the Te Kuiti district to-day. Rain has been falling steadily since yesterday, and creeks and rivers everywhere are flooding their banks. The Mangaokewa River, which runs through Te Kuiti, rose rapidly during the night. The main roads north and south of the township are impassable. Lessons had to be suspended in the primary buildings of the Te Kuiti District High School, which were inundated. That a more serious position is not being faced is undoubtedly due to the recfent drainage scheme carried out by the Mangapu Drainage Board. A complete survey of the district was made to-day by Mr. J. Simmonds, the board's engineer, who reported that in all cases where the board had been working on the clearance of the river channel the water was well under control.

STORM AT OPOTIKI.

LORRY CAUGHT BY STREAM. Accompanied by strong north-easterly wind, torrential rain fell at Opotiki throughout yosterday. Driving with great force, the rain found a way into many houses and shops. Late in the afternoon the wind abated and the rain ceased, but later steady rain fell again. Since Monday night telegraph and power linesmen have been kept busily engaged repairing faults caused by the gale. A total of 3.77 in of rain fell in the borough, but the rainfall in the back country was much heavier yesterday afternoon. Rivers and streams commenced to rise rapidly, but with cessation of rain at nightfall all danger of serious floods passed. The Opotiki-Wliakatane Road is completely blocked at Nukuhou, where a big six-wheel lorry was caught by the overflowing stream, and was partly submerged. A report from Waiotalii states that the Opotiki-Whakatane main highway is flooded to a considerable depth, motor vehicles being caught by the rising waters. All car services between Wliakatane and Gisborne were suspended last night owing to the road being impassable.

Very heavy seas are running in the Bay of Plenty this morning.

"Flood waters are now subsiding, and it is expected that service cars will be able to get to Opotiki some time to-day.

SOUTHERN WAIKATO. WASHOUTS ON ROADS. Roads in the Southern Waikato have suffered considerably as a result of washouts and floods. The Automobile Association's Hamilton agent advises southbound motorists to make inquiries before proceeding beyond Otorohanga. Part of the road between Ngaruawahia and Gleni andeg yaten, u