BREAK IN WATER MAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25682, 20 December 1948, Page 6

BREAK IN WATER MAIN

ROAD FLOODED AT ’AUCKLAND BOATS ROWED ALONG STREET (P.A.) AUCKLAND, December 19. About 1,090,000 gallons of water swept down the Great North road at Sew Lynn on Saturday afternoon, when a joint in one of the trunk water mains leading to the city blew out. For four hours a section of the road was under water, and special arrangements had to be made to direct a fairly heavy flow of traffic through the area. The blow-out occurred without warning. No seepage to Indicate a leak was evident before a fierce jet of water, tar-sealing and rubble shot about 40 feet into the air. It rose as high as nearby shops, scattering stones for a radius of many yards and quickly flooding the street. Within a few minutes the Main North road was transformed into a swirling river about two. feet deep with a strong current racing down the slope. A large crowd was quickly attracted and fairly heavy traffic was using the road at the time. Officers of the New Dynn Borough Council and residents directed the traffic past the affected area. ~F or„ scores of children in the district the flood was a welcome Saturday afternoon diversion. Small rowing boats appeared almost by magic, and many children enjoyed the unusual highway' 6 ° f rowing alon S the busy indo^v? f s a sh °P was broken by flying rubble, but no other damage to property was reported. The sur--9f waa damaged for a considerable distance.