WATER SWEEPS VALLEY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 February 1936, Page 7

WATER SWEEPS VALLEY.

CARRIES EVERYTHING BEFORE IT.

DISASTROUS VISITATION AT; PIRONGIA.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

TE AWAMUTU, Last Night

Investigation discloses that the cause of Sunday's havoc at Piron.gia mountain, near Te Awamutu, was a slandslide which blocked the course of the river. The water finally broke through and rushed the valleys below. Settlers say that a solid wall of water from eight to ten feet high swept the valleys carrying everything before it. Three bridges were swept away, two of them on the main highway to Kawhia. The scene is one of utter desolation. Hundreds of acres are covered with debris and silt. Crops and pastures are destroyed and fences levelled.

The willows lining the normal watercourse bear evidence that the water level was at least 12 feet high. Huge logs and boulders are scattered over the country.

One bridge lies in the middle of a paddock nearly half a mile away and almost completely covered with logs and debris. It is impossible yet to reach the central portion of the main highway as a huge slip blocks one end and the bridgeless rivers make access impossible at the other end. On the alternative road across the mountain it is known that the hillside has fallen into the valley carrying several chains of road, also that a tangled mass of logs and debris will have to be cleared. On the main highway it is known that at least live slips have occurred.

Fortunately the oncoming flood waters sounded a warning, enabling the settlers to make for the higher levels. Two men had a narrow escape, one being actually knee-deep in water in his rash for safety as the torrent overtook him. . .

Stock losses are heavy, but it is impossible yet to muster the sheep and cattle as fences are down with the surviving stock wandering over the mountain sides.

One Man Drowned ; Another

Missing

ANOTHER DOUBLE STOEM TRAGEDY FEARED

PUKEKOHE, Last Night.

The "body of a man named Smith was found in the Mangatangi stream. When Smith, a bullock driver, and a workmate named T. A. Mikoz, of Auckland, employed by a sawmiller in the Mangatangi district, did not report for work yesterday morning fears were entertained for their safety, as tlie clothing of hoth was found in their hut situated on the hank .of the stream.

During the week-end storm tae rose 20 feet and entered the hut. A search is proceeding for Mikoz.

Aucklander Swept Away With

House

TRAGIC SALVAGE ATTEMPT

WHANGAREI, Monday

A young man, Mr Walter Botheriil, of Kaitaia, was drowned last night. 11". and a companion were endeavouring to salvage effects from a flooded house when the building collapsed and he was washed away with the building. His companion managed to escape. The occupants of the house had pre viously left. The body was recovered to-day. Deceased lived at Balmoral. Auckland.

Gisborne Practically Unscathed

GISBOKNE, Last Night

Gisborue emerged from Sunday's storm practically unscathed, no damrage being reported iu the town itself, while the country'districts, as far as .«an bo ascertained, escaped lightly. The greatest inconvenience was caused by the disruption of telegraph and -.telephone services, communication with outside districts being entirely cut oil until 3.30 p.m. yesterday. A number ♦of slips occurred on the main highways; :and' other roads on Sunday, but the .main routes are now all open. The Waikaremoana power supply •was cut off on Sunday, but the borough standby plant was able to carry the load until the national supply was resumed automatically when the mam lineb disentangled themselves.

Waipukurau Camp Site Not

Affected

HASTINGS, Last Night. The site of the military camp at * Waipukurau has not suffered at all from the reported floods and the . water which fell drained away quickly. Same misunderstanding may have •arisen from accounts in outside papers «of flooding at Waipukurau and othet

parts of Hawke's Bay, but it is definitely stated that the camp site there is in perfect order.

Trainees are instructed to report in accordance with the details set out in the camp orders as issued by regimental headquarters.