WATERS RECEDING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 35, 5 November 1928, Page 3

WATERS RECEDING

MANAWATU PASTURES DAMAGED TRAIN SERVICES RESUMED Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, November 3. With the fortunate cessation of rain, the flood waters in the inundated Ranglotu area have commenced to recede rapidly, and if the present fine weather continues conditions should be restored to normal over the week-end. It was only just in time that the rain ceased, however, for had there been another few hours’ deluge there would have been disastrous flooding, exceeding even that of the spring of 1920. As it is, there has been thousands of pounds of damage caused in the farming lands where silt-laden water has ruined pastures just in the flush of spring growth, and owners of property will suffer a severe setback. It was indeed fortunate that most of the rain experienced in the Manawatu in the early part of the week was only local, causing neither the Manawatu nor the Orona Rivers to rise much over their normal level, but with the continued heavy rain in the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa districts the Manawatu River commenced to rise rapidly on Thursday and Friday, reaching a top level of over 14 feet. It was then that it overflowed the banks between Tiakitahuna and Rangiotu, causing the flooding in that area. The [ Oroua River commenced to rise very

flowed in the vicinity of Rangiotu, adding further t; the effects of the water from the Manawatu. Had the Oroua burst its banks higher up there would indeed have been disastrous results, as the whole of the Kairanga district would have been inundated, but fortunately the stop-banks erected some two years ago held. Exceptionally Rapid Rise. Farmers about Rangiotu had plenty of warning of the impending danger, and all stock was removed in time, although those who were attending the Royal Show lu Palmerston North had no time to lose in taking precautionary measures against the encroaching waters. Almost 7000 acres of land was under water in a surprisingly short space of time; in fact, residents in the areas state that they have never seen water rise so quickly—and many homes were completely cut off. To-day in many places only the tops of fences can be seen in the paddocks, and access to some of the houses is impossible even on horseback. The level of - the water is falling very rapidly, however.

Many of the roads were soon rendered impassable yesterday, especially near Shannon, while the Foxton-Palm-erston North railway line was definitely out of commission. Strenuous work on the parr of the railway officials, however, put the line in running order early this afternoon, and ordinary services are being run.

For a period of half a day the services on the Hawke’s Bay line, through the Manawatu Gorge, were disorganised owing to slips coming down over the line. Passengers on the expresses were conveyed as far as Woodville and Palmerston North, on each side of the gorge, and taken on by means of charabancs and buses, the trains returning to Napier and Wellington at the respective sides of the blockage. By about 10 o’clock this morning the, slips in the gorge were cleared,* and the services able to continue to time-table. The second slip delayed the transportation of many head of pedigree stock, on exhibit at the Royal Show, and the fralfl conveying thew tQ Bakke’s Bay.

was compelled to return to Palmerston North yesterday, the stock being accommodated on the showgrounds for the night. This morning a special train took the stock away. o Warning By Radio. Farmers round about the flooded areas appreciated the value of the work put in by the Manawatu Radio Club in broadcasting river readings on Thursday night, when the danger first appeared to be imminent. Reports as to the conditions of the rivers in the Pohangina, Woodville, Pahiatua, and Dannevirke districts were sent out. The advice thus conveyed to farmers was invaluable, and there is no doubt that this quick means of news transmission was responsible for much of the stock being removed from the danger zone in time. CONDITIONS IN WAIRARAPA RETURNING TO NORMAL. Dominion Special Service. Masterton, November 3. Conditions in the flooded areas of the Lower Valley are now Improving. Fine weather is being accompanied by the gradual subsidence of the rivers, and a few days will see conditions returning to normal. Some settlers are still meeting with difficulties with their farm operations owing to the large quantity of water still lying about, but they are managing as well as possible in the circumstances. Good progress is being made with the slips which have come down in various parts, and communications are being re-established. In Masterton County the Blairlogle Hill road is now open, although the men will be engaged on it for a few days yet. The Ngahape road is still blocked, but Dorset’s road Ift practically plcag