ISOLATED ON ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 68, 22 March 1933, Page 8

ISOLATED ON ISLAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WIDESPREAD DAMAGE

TAUMARUNUI, This Day. Some concern was felt for.a handful of residents on Winter's Island, which is at the confluence of the rivers. When dawn broke the island seemed to be covered by water. Only the house tops and tree tops were showing. However, as the water subsided smoke was seen to be issuing from the chimneys, so it is1 presumed that all is well. There are no means of communication with the people until the water subsides further. A Manauui girl reported seeing the body of a boy in short trousers floating beneath the railway bridge at Matapuna this morning. So far no word has been received of any boy missing. Much damago is reported from Mananui, where the tennis courts and football grounds .are inundated. The railway line, is damaged, and there are washouts on the roads.

Four bridges are down in the Otunui district, and there are many washouts,, isolating the settlers, who are unable to get their cream out. The. Taumarunui electric system is still out of order,-arid is unlikely to resume till tomorrow. The water pressure also is low owing to flood damage at the intake.

There ia silt several inches deep in the houses on the "flat," and much damage has been.done to householders' property. The bowling green; on the recreation ground is covered with several inches of silt.

A woman wakened by her baby crying put out her hand to rock the cradle and found water all round the bed. She made a hasty escape and, as the house is near the river, had a difficult task in getting out of the swirling waters.

Taumarunui is full, of people from the derailed Auckland Limited express. It is reported that an aeroplane is coming from -Palmerston-to pick up some passengers who are anxious to get away on • business. .