FLOODS IN FAR NORTH

Evening Star, Issue 21900, 11 December 1934, Page 8

FLOODS IN FAR NORTH

BRID6ES SWEPT AWAY KAiKGHE ISOLATED [Per United Press Association.] WHANGAREI, December 11. As the result of heavy rainfall sine# Friday last, but especially since Saturday night, large areas of the Far North are flooded. In some places the floods are the highest' for, thirty-five years, but fortunately the farmers had received warning in time to remove the stock to higher levels, and as a consequence the losses are not heavy. For the first time since 1917- the big bridge over the Mangakabia at Titoki'is under water, and as a result there has been no cream collection Since Sunday. Several bridges have been swept away, and much damage has been done to roads. The rainfall at Whangarei since Friday is 5.76 in, but owing to the dryness of the ground, due to the lengthy dry spell, flooding has not occurred. Hikurangi swamp promises to be badlv flooded. Kaikohe was evidently the storm centre, for twelve inches of rain were recorded within twenty-four hours. All approaches to the town are cut off, Kohukohu also suffered a good deal.All road communication with the north is cut off owing to flooding, which is some feet deep in places. The railway service is disorganised completely, and there will be no. trains north of Hukerenui to-day. The latest information is that nineteen inches were registered in Kaikohe town, within forty-eight hours. The district is temporarily isolated, and all the low-lying country is like a series of lakes.