NORTH OF AUCKLAND FLOODS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 348, 6 February 1917, Page 6

NORTH OF AUCKLAND FLOODS

TWO LIVES LOST.

HEAVY LOSS OF STOCK

Dargaville Feb. 5

There was a torrential downpour in Northern Wairoa on Friday night and Saturday. The river is in heavy Hood. The Raihu creek drainage area is under water. The traffic bridge was carried away and two young Maoris were drowned. A large quantity of stock was destroyed on the banks of the Northern Wairoa- and settlements are under water.

At Kirikopuui the store was flooded to the roof and valuable stock was destroyed. A large amount of live stock were, drowned. Farmers suffer severely. Heavy rain again fell this morning. Dargaville is so far unaffected, but the freshes arc expected down to-morrow. ON THE EAST COAST. FOUR LIVES LOST. GRAVE DAMAGE DONE. AVhangarei, Feb. 5. Floods of unprecedented severity have occurred in the north. A week’s rain culminated on Saturday in a phenomenal downpour. Streets and houses in the low-lying parts of AVhangarei were flooded, and considerable damage was done to property. The water is three feet deep in the dairy factory Grave damage was done at the great AVairau Falls electric station. The water rose eleven feet in the powerhouse, and a portion of the canal as broken away. Power and lights are cut off from AVhangarei, and it will possibly be six weeks before they are restored. Railway traffic is interrupted. Four fatalities have occurred—Patrick Power, Walter Alfred Atwood, and Mrs. Jane Christie. The latter, who lived at Towai. returning from a /'isi! when she was swept away. The flood is rapidly subsiding.