WEEK-END STORM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 October 1926, Page 9

WEEK-END STORM.

EXTRA EDITION.

FLOODS AT TE KUITL HEAVIEST RAIN FOR, YEARS. RAILWAY LINE BLOCKED. .(BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) \ y TE KUITI, Oct. 11. The heaviest downpour of rain experienced in the King Country for many years occurred on Saturday and Sunday, two and a half, inches falling in the 24 hours between 9 a.m. of those days. The business part of the town escaped serious flooding, but the school grounds were under water and the primary classes were suspended today. The racecourse was under water, four feet deep in places, and the Te Kumi road was' four feet under water. The level of the Mangaokeua, river was the highest known for .seven years. It overflower its banks, and the road was covered to five feet. Some residents were completely isolated. Early this morning the railway settlement at Te Kumi was isolated for pedestrian and motor traffic. Another six inches would have flooded the houses. Three mlies north of Hangatiki there were six inches of water on the railway line, and all trains were held up last night. The water is now falling, and it is hoped to get the trains . through at midday. \ On the New Plymouth road all motor , traffic was held up yesterday owing to four feet of water on the road eight miles from Te Ivuiti. The alternative route via Mniroa was also blocked yesterday but this would be available today.

The weather is still heavy and overcast, but the barometer is rising and the water is receding

IN THE MAIN TRUNK. SLIPS ON LINE CLEARED-. V TAUMARUNUI, Oct. 11. Heavy rain fell continuously -since Saturday mid-day, with the result that a heavy slip occurred on the railway line between Kakahi and Owlliango yesterday. A special (Works train was despatched from Obakune and -commenced work on the .slip at eight o’clock llaislb ®.ight and by five o’clock this morning the line was cleared and the two Auckland expresses, which were delayed at Taurntarunui then proceeded south, as one train. Trains from Wellington, had not yet 'reached, Taumarunui, being held up (by a slip near Merton. The local goods service was somewhat -disorganised to-day. Heavy rain has now ceased, though the weather is still threatening. HEAVY PAIN AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, Oct. 11. For the 24 hours ended at nine o’clock this morning 1.680 inches of rain fell. With the wind shifting away from the south the weather is improving, though it is dull with more rain probable. The possibilities of a flood on the Taieri are remote as the river is falling. \ PAHTATUA, Oct. 11. There lias been a considerable rainfall, the total for the three days being over three- inches-. Slips and 'blockages on .several road's (have been reported. Much low-lying country is under water..

FLOODS IN MANAWATU. PALMERSTON N., Oct. 11. Heavy rain over the week-end.caused the Manawatu and Oroua rivers and tributaries to rise to flood level, with the result that a large area of the Manawatu basin was inundated. There was a fear that the flood would extend as the Manawatu was still rising. Settlers have removed stock to safety. Part of the borough was inundated by a small stream overflowing; its banks, and as a result a number of houses were completely surrounded by water. The effect of the flood at a time when, the district was just recovering from the July' inundation, will be serions.