SERIOUS FLOODING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 94, 15 January 1936, Page 10

SERIOUS FLOODING

Far North and Bay of Plenty

LARGE SLIPS OCCUR

Rapidly-rising Water Near Kaitaia Township

MANY ROADS BLOCKED Dominion Special Service. Auckland, January 14. Heavy rain fell throughout the Auckland province to-day, resulting tn serious flooding iu the far north. Roads in the Kaitaia district were blocked, but no serious damage to the formation lias been reported. Fences were washed away, but stock is believed to have escaped. Roads were also blocked in the Hokianga district, and large slips have occurred at Taheke. Water rose more than 7ft. in two hours in the Bay of Plenty. The Waloeka Gorge, between Opotiki and Gisborne, was temporarily blocked on Monday night and this morning. Service ears, however, were little delayed. The Meremere Hill, on the former main highway between Opotiki and Gisborne, via Motu, was completely blocked by slips. Crops'in the Whakatane district suffered serious damage. The Huiiua Gorge road was completely blocked to traffic on Monday night by a large slip at Suicide Bend about four miles from Papakura. A gang of men began clearing the road this morning, and it was hoped that vehicles would be able to use the road to-night. Should the heavy rain continue, however, it was thought a further fall might occur. The weather is reported to have been very humid in the Waikato during the past week, and tlie period of dry weather would be welcomed. Warm rains have done much to stimulate the growth of pastures ami a season of heavy butterfat production is staled to be assured. Big Slips Reported. Late reports from the nurtli state that exceptionally heavy rain, causing considerable flooding, has fallen throughout tlie Hokianga and Kaitaia districts during the past 18 hours. This evening, however, tlie weather is more settled, and Hie rain has eased off considerably. All roads in the Hokianga County are blocked, and at Taheke the waler rose over seven feet in two hours, while some big slips occurred at Whirinaki. No great damage to roads is reported. Flood waters are approaching Kaitaia and are rapidly rising just south of the town, but are receding at Takahue and Victoria Valley. Traffic on all roads is held up and delivery of cream to the butter factory al Awanui lias been dislocated. (hi a number of by-roads several slips and washouts have occurred. RIVERS OVERFLOWING Rail Passengers Unable To Reach Opotiki SERVICE CAR RETURNS By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, January 14. Heavy rain fell all last night ami today in the Opotiki district, and several rivers overflowed their banks. This evening the Waiotahi River on the Opo-tiki-Whakatane road was in flood, six feet of water being reported on the road, and passengers from the Taneatun express were unable to reach Opotiki. On tlie other side of Opotiki the Waiawa River at the.junction of the Coast and Motu roads had risen 10 feet, and no cars can reach Motu or Tekaha. Slips arc also reported on the Mercmere road between Opotiki and Motu. Tlie only other exit from Opotiki is by tlie Waioeka road, the main road to Gisborne.

A service car left Opotiki at 7.45 tonight for Gisborne and returned at 9 o’clock, reporting the road blocked by a slip extending for two chains in the Waioeka Gorge. Heavy damage was done to several maize crops in the Opotiki district. Only light rain fell iu Gisborne to-day.