WHAKATANE ISOLATED

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1944, Page 4

WHAKATANE ISOLATED

BAY OF PLENTY FLOOD Large Loss of Stock ip.A. AUCKLAND, Feb. 23. The township of Whakatane has been isolated by flood waters since this morning, and severe stock losses already have been suffered in the large area of the Rangitaiki FJains, extending from Edgecumbe to Taneatua'. Light rain was still falling in Whakatane to-night, and any further heavy rain will result in considerably more damage. During the last two days, Galatea, the source of the Rangitaiki River has had one of the heaviest rainfalls on record. Heavy consistent rain fell from yesterday morning until this evening, when it slackened. Severe flooding has occurred in the Rangitaiki Plains. Owing to the rapidity in the rise of the water, many farmers were unable to save their stock, and many valuable herds have been depleted. On .one Taneatua farm, fifteen head of pedigree cattle were last seen with only their heads above water. Judging by the number of carcases of cattle, sheep and pigs which have been swept through Whakatane, the losses have been particularly heavy. The township is cut off by road from Rotorua and Gisborne. No [mails have been received to-day, and it has been impossible to carry out I the rural deliveries. i The road through the plains at ; Edgecumbe is threatened and at a late hour to-night, flood waters were i lapping at the top of stop banks. The Whakatane River has oversowed its banks. The Taneatua highway is unusable, the main access road i from Rotorua into the township of Whakatane was under water to-day. Minor flooding to shops and business premises occurred at midday, but most of the water later drained away. At high tide this evening water encroached on to the Strand. The water is still level with the wharves, which are normally about five feet (above the level of the river, even lat spring tide. I Situated on the banks of the river |the Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited is threatened by the flood waters. So far it ha's been able to carry, out full operations, both on the day and night shift, but the river would not need to rise much further before the workjs would be flooded. It has been impossible to transport the employees to the mill by road, and they have been ferried across the river. This has been a risky business, as the river i.s running at a high speed, and is filled with logs ll and the carcases of stock. The harbour at Whakatane presents a dismal scene. Muddy from rain water from the hills, the river is scouring its way to the sea, which is discoloured for several miles from the harbour entrance.

The report of the headmaster of the Runanga School (Mr Heath) presented at the monthly meeting of the School Committee, stated that the roll stands at 217. Miss J. A. Henderson replaces -Miss I. Henderson as probationary assistant. Several maintenance repairs have been carried out. The front lawns and seats have now been completed. The playing field is in urgent need of mowing. An extra load of sand was placed in the sandpit before the holidays. Portion of the stationery for free. issue has now arrived and has been issued. The wiring of the sound system is almost completed. For last season up to the end of tfie year, 52 swimming certificates were gained, including 10 preliminary life saving certificates At carnivals in Greymouth teams from the school have had some successes. A donation of books for both libraries was received from Mr D. Manderson. The school will be closed on March 10 for the annual combined schools’ athletic sports.

In common with practically every other post-primary school of New Zealand, the school’s new enrolment for the year reached record proportions, far exceeding the previous record of 152 in 1943, states the principal of the, Greymouth Technical High School in his monthly report to the Board of Managers. Six pupils enrolled from other postprimary schools, while the first-year enrolment was 209—95 boys and Ho girls. These are distributed among the various courses as follows: General secondary course 42.. commercial 58, trades 64 domest'c science 45. Of pupils returning from last year, a few are still to com e from work in the country, while no doubt a few will leave to take up positions before April 1, W^. hif , h been set down as the date at whi h the roll is to count for the pn-, pose of determining staffing latio. But it seems certain that the eiiec tive roll of the school at that date ( will be at least 420-208 boys and 912 girls. The total strength of the i courses on these figures, will be.—l General secondary 121. commercial 116, trades 115, domestic -science 68 The average attendance of p up Is for the period has been slightb m ex cess of 95 per cent.