Unprecedented Floods in Wanganui.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7847, 26 May 1904, Page 5

Unprecedented Floods in Wanganui.

Two Houses Washed Away.

Heavy Floods'in Wangachn Valley. *

Railway Traffic Stopped

Hunterville Flooded

Waitotara Railway Bridge Injured. f-r—i

WELLINGTON, May -26 Information from Wangamii states the flood there is the heaviest for many years, and the river is three feet higher than in IS9I. There is three feet of water over laupo Quay, and two houses d osft to the bridge have been washed away, but no other serious .lamao-e is reported. ° The bridges have stood the slorin well, and it is believed they are uninjured. • A large quantity of "heavy timber is coming down the river. At Wangachu the river is ovo miles Wl de, and in'the hotel there is two feet of water. A large number of settlers who were flooded out are sheltering there. At Hunterville, the Porewa river overflowed last night and the residents have sheltered in the post office and hotel. Communication with there is practically suspended. The north trains are runnino- irregularly owing to the Waitotara bridge being, injured. The south train is unable to o-et beyond Pordell owing to the line being submerged for some miles. The Huntervillo traffic has been suspended for the'same reason. At Makirikiri the ferry is washed away and the south river bank high and impassable. That place is, also cut ofF. " '

, The river steamer came down yesterday at a great risk, but it was unable to return to-day. ~ There is no information, as to the country bridges beyond, except that two small bridges at Mangamahu have been washed away. ■ The weather is clearing, but it will be some days before uornxil conditions . prevail. ' | WANGANUI, 3Tay 26. Business in the lower part of the town is suspended, and all are busy saving their stocla The river steamer Wairere, on the voyage from Pipiriki, was considerably damaged by drifting timber. The ferry punt at Kennedy's was carried away,-- a?eo several punts belonging to the liiver Trust. The . road across the - river from Wanganui to Eastown is under water, and the grounds o£ the houses there: are under .water. The river bank at Taylorville is continually falling, and* two houses ■ have been carried away. Taupo ! Quay is full of boats an"d carts which afford, the only means of communication. 'Enormoiis damage has been done, but so far it is impossible to ascertain the extent, 'Jwo piles have gone from the Turakina bridge; but the structure, as far as. ii known, is still standing.

(Per Press Association).

PAHIATUA, May 25. The heavy rains of yesterday have caused the river to be in flood, and low-lying portions of land are under water. No serious damage is reported so. far. The weather is still threatening.

Captain Edwin telegraphed to-day : Strong winds to gale from between north-east and north and west; rain probable; rivers very high. A telegram frc:a Wanfianm <o-day states that the flood water went some distance up the Avenue. The flood is the highest ever- known at. Wanganui and to-day shows no signs of abatement.