ROADS IMPASSABLE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19675, 19 July 1929, Page 13

ROADS IMPASSABLE.

j POSITION AT ORARI. CROPS LIKELY TO SUFFER. The Orari district is suffering under one of the heaviest rain-storms that have been experienced for many years. There is serious danger of a heavy flood spreading over the countryside unless the downpour abates. Mild rain set in on Monday evening, followed by heavy showers throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, culminating on Wednesday evening in a torrential downpour, which continued without cessation till last evening. Up to Wednesday morning there had been a fall of 1.58 inches, but during the succeeding twenty-four hours there was a fall of 2.90 inches, making a total of 4.48 inches, while there was a further fall of 88 points yesterday. The result is that the surrounding country is in a state almost of flood. A ride round the district revealed a countryside partially covered with water." Paddock after paddock seemed but a mass of water, with here and there some slightly higher ground where the various stock gathered. Farmers who have their winter seed in will probably suffer a loss, while other crops in the ground will undoubtedly also suffer. Practically all the back roads are under water, either wholly or in part. The Orari school ground appeared one sheet of water, while another sheet of water extended across the road opposite Killoh's store. The Orari river was running bank to bank, though still a foot or two below the level of the bridge, indicating that the rainfall was not as heavy in the bae-k hills as it was over the flatter eountry. The creek beside Maedonald's was a rushing | stream of water, making the road unsafe for motor traffic. Belfield is also I suffering from the effects of the storm, and telephonie communication between Belfield and Geraldine is cut off owing to the lines being down. The low-lying land around the Orari railway station is well under water, while overflows from the various ereeks over the road to Clandeboye have ren- \ dered that road impassable. Though | Clandeboye and Orton are also inundated at present, conditions are not so bad yet as they have been in other years, though if the Orari river breaks over its banks the devastation will be terrible. A visit to Winchester showed the road in fairly good condition and free from water, save a portion just outside Winchester itself, but in the village attention was centred on the Waihi stream where it crosses the main road just above Langford's store. In this river the flood is the most serions experienced for over torn /can. There,

I while the bridge and approach over the { northern stream »re good, the approaches ! to the smaller stream are inundated by I a roshing torrent, suggesting the carrying away of the embankment just above the bridge. Here a horse and dray navigating the swollen torrent waa submerged up to the floor-boards. It was an impossibility for a motor-car to get through. Report* to hand show that the storm is even more seriously f*'t further south, where both the Temuka and Opihi rivers are in flood, and Arowhenua inundated. Beturning to Orari, r. surrey of tlie road to Geraldine waa made. Turning down the Ooach road, the benefit of the recent bridge over Dobbie's creek waa appreciated, but as' the Waihi was approached the low ground was found to be under water, and the road awash in several place*. Here condition* were very bad, and unless there is a cessation of rain some of the houses will have to be evacuated. Warner's waa surrounifed by a maelstrom of waters, and efforts to stem it seemed fruitless. Nearer the Waihi it was revealed that the river had broken through protective works above the road, and the overflow was washing through Lysaght's farm, the house being totally cut off from outside communication except by horse. Further progress along this road was barred by this overflow crossing the road in a raging torrent, in places two or three feet deep. The back road was alao in a bad oondition; though still passable. The small creeks were running high and through Rank*puka the road waa practically awash all th« wav. The Waihi near Geraldine w w high flood, flooding the approaches to the small foot-bridge* and causing moon damage. Further flooded area* were revealed nlong the main road, while Cooper'fi Creek was also running over its banks The southern approach to ; the Orari river waa awash, and the work of many weeks in bntlding up this approach will be partially spoilt. Similar conditions prevail on the Rnngitata Island, where rain has been falling continuously for the past fortyeight hours. Farms are inundated by water, though so far there are no report* of severe damage. Over Ave inches of rain have fallen there during t!i© storm. The Ransutata river, though dirtv with surplus water, m not greatly affected by the local storm, it being mainly a snow-fed river. The residents, however, are without road communication with mrrrouridinc: townships owing to the flooding of Cooper's Creek. PLEASANT POINT. To* rain which commenced on Monday afternoon continue*. Creeks are flooded everywhere and conaequentlv country children cannot r?ach school. The Opihi and Tengawai rivers are fn high flood and crowds of people wend their way to the respective bridge* to view the*rushing waters. Fortanateiy, , ao stock ksasa have bees paportii.