BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21087, 12 February 1934, Page 10

BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY

MOTORIST'S KXIMiRIKNTE iftJ.SS ASSOCIATION 'I KI.Ei/RAM.) AUCKLAND. February 10. A terrific: downpour during the night caused a sudden rise in the Puhoi ri\ cr, between Waiwera and Warkworth: The Puhoi bridge on the main highway to Northland, about, three miles from Warkworth, was washed away. A motorist, Mr L. Adams, of Whangarei, in crossing the bridge shortly after midnight had a startling experience. He was only a few yards across when he saw the structure at the other end rise about six feet. He immediately put the car into reverse gear, and made off to safety. It was only a few minutes later that the wooden structure, which was from 40 to 50 yards long, was swept away. The heavy rain continues. Residents of the district believe it was a cloudburst that caused the flood which carried away the bridge. There was some loss of stock, but the loss is not so extensive as was originally anticipated. When t lie Hood was backed up by the high tide, the road at the end oC the bridge on the main road was six feet under water. The bridgt* was actually in the course of replacement, by a concrete structure. Woikmen in a camp close by bad to secK shelter on higher ground. At daylight it was possible to make a general survey and it was then found that two other bridges nearer Puhoi had been damaged. The main road to the north was blocked for traffic, and, as slips are general, the East Coast route has also been closed. At Puhoi the river rose quickly but no material damage was done. The Automobile Association reports that the route to the north, via Kaukapakapa and Wellsford, is open, and il is expectrd that all traffic will be .'-i<lJV*urtwl i*}- ibid- fflulu,