IN THE COUNTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 202, 27 July 1926, Page 7

IN THE COUNTRY

SPECIAL' TRAIN SENT TO RANGIOTU.

.WITH BOATS AND VOLUNTEERS

PEOPLE RESCUED FROM HOUSES

Conditions in the country last evening were tending towards a climax that would have resulted had the rain continued incessantly. This morning broke with the flood waters in all parts still obvious but, except in some districts, particularly Rangiotu, the position was somewhat alleviated. Heavy losses of stock have not been reported, in most cases the herds and flocks being removed in time to places of safety.

SERIOUS POSITION AT RANGIOTU. The Manawatu and the Oroua rivers at midday to-day were still rising and the position at Rangiotu was serious. Near the Post Office tho road Was partially covered but everywhere else there was a desolate discoloured sea of flood water. The settlers' houses near the confluence of tho two rivers were inundated feet deep and* in some cases the occupants had to resort to tho manholes in the ceilings. Three boats arrived at Rangiotu from Foxton this morning by a special train arranged for by the Railway Department, and a party of volunteers rescued those who had not been lucky enough to get out in time. No serious loss of stock is reported. AT GLEN OROUA. In some parts of Glen Oroua this morning there was a considerable amount of water, but Mr H. J. Lancaster’s property was practically free of it. The Main Drain I overflowing caused the flooding in the district. Late last evening the Oroua j river overflowed its banks between iGlen Oroua and Rongotoa. At ono resident’s place, nearby Mr Lancaster’s, the water this morning was under the house, and at another place, opposite the latter residence, the water was at the back door. No loss of stock is reported. AT SHANNON. Tho waters at Shannon at mid-day to-day were rapidly receding, and that part of tho river near tho town going down. Yesterday the flood was about four chains from tho Shannon railway station, and the surrounding country, as far as the eyo could see, was inundated. A considerable stretch between the Kingston road and the Makerua railway station at mid-day had five feet- of water covering it, and there was then no sign of it receding. A slip occurred on tho Ihakara hill, on the road between Shannon and Palmerston North, on Sunday evening. A gang of men were sent from Levin and effected a temporary clearanco, but a further serious slip occurred again last night. There were hopes, howover, that tho road would be passable by some time this afternoon. MOUTOA POST OFFICE ISOLATED Tiro post offico at Moutoa has boen isolated for three days. Tho road on the Fdcton and Shannon sides is inundated, also tho adjoining country. Tho postmistress reported early this afternoon that the river in tho vicinity of Mr AV. Smith’s property has broken away, with the water roaring angrily and adding to the inundation that gave no sign of cessation. The settlers had had timely, warning with regard to their stock, and removed the animals to higher levels. Several Moutoa residents have left their homes —the Shannon punt-keeper left early yesterday—and tho water today was up to the windows of tlroir houses and still rising. There have been no accidents out that way; only a shortage of food supplies and the general inconvenience. DANGER AT ANDERSON’S BEND AVERTED. There is still much surface water at Aokauterc, but the creeks this afternoon were falling. The river came over a little at Anderson’s bend, but any danger at that source is now over. SLIPS AT POHANGINA. A large slip on the Pohangina road just past tne township blocked the road lor approximately 100 yards, a large portion of a hill having been scoured out. The debris was about four .feet deep on tho road. IN OTHER PLACES. At Bunnythorpe, though there is still a great deal of surface water, hourly it is becoming less. It was a fair depth yesterday when tlic bridge over the Mangaono stream was totally submerged and another bridge in tho same locality had the water lapping its decking. The rivers and streams in the AVoodville district are running high, many acres being submerged, particularly in the vicinity of Hainua. The waters from the swollen Manga-atua inundated the Masterton road between the McLean street railway crossing and the bridgo and from the bridge south for about half a mile; also a mile of Broomfield’s road. A bridge-about 20ft in length, on the Gaisford road was washed away. GORGE ROAD CLOSED.

The Public AVorks Department report that the Gorge road will pi all probability bo closed to vehicular traffic until 12 o’clock to-morrow night. AMUSING EPISODE. UNFORTUNATE FALL INTO AVATER. The flooding of certain of Palmerston North’s streets yesterday provided at least one amusing episode—one that was very amusing to those who witnessed it, but the very reverse to the two persons who had the misfortune to be concerned. The locality was Ferguson street and the time was early afternoon. The most unfortunate participant was proceeding homeward, aud, halted by a sheet of water that extended over quite a considerable portion of the roadway, as well as the footpath, was dismally surveying the outlook, meditating upon her chances of getting round tho corner and home to lunch with her shoes and stockings in a dry condition. Then came on the 6cene, although not from the same direction, tho other participant—a young man, ■who, seeing tho predicament the other was in, placed his services at the disposal of the young lady, offering to carry lier_ across tho waters to terra firma. Protestations that the good Samaritan would get wet needlessly on her account were of no avail, and, with tho lady in his arms, Dox Quixote strode boldly ahead. Reckoning, however, without the submerged and totally obscured kerbing of tho street, his forward movement was abruptly halted, and, amid a scream from the lady and doubtless a muttered imprecation from her benefactor, the pair capsized in front 18 inches to two feet of water, getting thoroughly soaked. The humour of the situation was not altogether lost on the hapless couple, and both, despite the fact that they were in a decidedly uncomfortable condition, indulged in a good laugh.