THE PAPAROA FLOODS

Evening Star, Issue 17314, 30 March 1920, Page 4

THE PAPAROA FLOODS

DETAILS OF DISASTER. . [Per United Press Association.] PAPAROA, March 30. News from the outlying districts confirms the report of widespread devastation caused by Saturday’s flood. At Mama (Whangarei County), 6 ix miles inland from Matakohe, the creeks overflowed, and farms were flooded. The settiers suffered severely. At Mareretu the bridge over the Kikowhiti stream was destroyed, and settlers on the north side are isolated. A temporary bridge at the middle settlement has also gone, and there are numerous slips on the main outlet roads. At Parahi and Matakaho, in the back district, two bridges have carried away. At Hukatera t-Ue bridge has gone, and numerous slips are reported. At Waikaekai the link railway hues under construction connecting with the Mam Trank suffered seriously from slips, which will involve a setback te the works of probably 12 months. ' Koad traffic is blocked by slips. A.t Otamatea the county roads and bridges have been severely damaged by land slides, and lencmg has been carried away in all directions. In Waipu Gorge all the original wood bridges, 20 or 25 in number were carried away, and only the large concrete bridge remains. Some repair work is being carried out by gangs of v A Whangarei message states that the Northern Coal Company’s mines at Kiripaka are flooded and the main exits blocked by slips. It is estimated that some weeks must elapse before the mine be , reo pe«ed. The tramway and bridge have also been carried away.