THE FLOODS ON THE COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4812, 8 March 1918, Page 7

THE FLOODS ON THE COAST.

WAIAPU BRIDGE AGAIN DAMAGED. FOUR SPANS CARRIED AWAY. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. TOKOMARU BAY, March 7. Mr McCracken, the contractor who has extensive alterations in hand at the Waiapu .bridge, arrived in Tokomaru to-day. He states that though the river was not so high as in, trie last big flood, the river presented an imposing sight, the great waves giving it the appearance of n big sea. The new approach to the bridge at this end had been carried away, but he managed to get on to the structure by clambering along a cable. He found that three 80ft spans and a 36ft steel girder span at the Tikitiki end had been, swept away. The telegraph cable attached to the bridge .had also disappeared, this accounting for the want of news from further north. The electric cables which supply Hon. A. T. Ngata’s property from Tikitiki had also been broken. Mr. McCracken- lost 50 yards of gravel which he had carted up for the concrete work in connection with his contract. Mr W. Hall, the well-known stock dealer, has 2000 sheep held up on the north side of the river, while his drovers ar© on tlie south, side. Luo hundred cattle destined for Cape Runaway are held up on the south side. „ , . « • „ The feeding of sheep is proving a problem at- Tokomaru just now, as 5000 are held up here hv the noocled rivers. They are tlie balance of a shipment of 10,000 for Christchurch, and are awaiting the arrival of the Tarawera, but cannot be shipped ruitil the sea moderates. * The wind has considerably moderated here this evening.