FLOODING ABOUT MASTERTON

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27065, 13 June 1953, Page 2

FLOODING ABOUT MASTERTON

WATER LEVELS NOW RECEDING DAMAGE TO ROADS AND FARMS (New Zealand. Press Association) MASTERTON, June 12. The level of the Ruamahanga river at Martinborough has dropped to 12 feet, and the flood waters in the South Wairarapa and elsewhere are now receding fairly rapidly. In Masterton there has been considerable flood damage to paths, roads, and kerbing.

The Wairarapa Catchment Board estimates that the total area under water south of Martinborough is about 35,000 acres. Some delay may be experienced in reopening the Martin-borough-Featherston road, as a stopbank on the Martinborough side of the Ruamahanga bridge has given way. Reports reaching the Featherston County Council in Martinborough show that back-country areas were badly affected by the recent bad weather. The Tu.turumuri and Whakapuni, districts suffered severely from slips and washouts. • In the Whareama district, a rainfall gauge registered a fall of eight inches m less than 24 hours before it became “waterlogged.” In the Alfredton district, slips and landslides have done much damage to farm bridges and fences. A woolshed was demolished by a big slip on one property.