THE FLOODS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 141, 16 May 1929, Page 8

THE FLOODS

MANAWATU RIVER FALLING. DANGER APPARENTLY OVER. Unless further heavy rain is experienced, it would appear that further immediate danger from floods in the Manawatu district is past. An appreciable fall has been recorded in the height of the Manawatu River since early this morning, the gauge at 2 p.m. reading 12ft. 6ins. Reports from some of the country areas also state that the flood waters are falling. At Rangiotu this afternoon, however, the Oroua River flood waters showed no sign of receding and the conditions were still the same as had been reported in the morning. There was not a great deal of water coming through the township, but the Taonui swamp was still filling and was holding a heavy volume of water. The Oroua River broke its banks at Lockwood about seven o’clock this morning, but the water level had, at 2 p.m., dropped about two feet since then. For several miles the Oroua has spilled over its banks in that area, but, fortunately, there was no loss of stock, the settlers having received ample warning to remove their animals to higher levels. Past experiences have taught farmers in the inundated areas of the necessity to shift stock promptly when a flood warning is issued, and cases are reported of settlers removing stock at an early hour this morning.

IMMENSE AREA INUNDATED,

PHENOMENAL RAINFALL.

TWENTY INCHES SINCE MONDAY

Per Press Association. HASTINGS, May 1G

Although there is an immense area of land under water in the low-lying parts of the district around Hastings, there has as yet been no loss of stock reported, the settlers on farms subject to flooding having had warning in plenty of time to remove the animals to higher ground. There is a grave danger, however, of the marooned stock suffering severely for want of feed, and the position will be very serious if the floods continue much longer.

Already landowners whose land is free from the flood are offering to graze the stock of their less fortunate neighbours. One settler at Pakowliai, Mr A. R. F. Allien, is completely penned in by the flood and has only three or four acres above water on which to crowd his hungry stock. The highest rainfall for 10 years is reported .at Maraetotara, near Waimarama, no less than 20.3 inches

falling since Monday. Railway communication was resumed with Napier this morning. The Wellington mail train left here 35 minutes late.

Rain continued at intervals during the night, but the rivers are somewhat down. The weather was showery this morning. ROAD TO GISBORNE BLOCKED. CANNOT BE OPENED FOR THREE DAYS. Per Press Association. NAPIER, May 16. The main north road to Gisborne is completely blocked and cannot be opened under three days. Many gangs are at work, but numerous slips have to bo removed. Noon saw no noticeable change in the weather, but the barometer is rising. The Taupo road is also blocked at Titiokura. WAIPAWA DISTRICT SUFFERS. ROADS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. Per Press Association. NAPIER, May 16. News from the Waipawa district states that all the more important ronds and bridges are closed to all traffic. In one instance a concrete bridge has subsided. Meeanee is still threatened with danger, and the Papakura and' Pakowhai districts are still isolated. The weather to-day is much brighter. The mayor is organising relief crews in case the danger should become worse, but indications are that the menace has reached its peak.

RAIN IN AWATERE VALLEY

Per Press Association. GISBORNE, May 16

In the Awatere Valley, near Teararoa, 7.5 inches of rain were registered yesterday.

FLOODS IN WAIRARAPA

COLLAPSE OF BRIDGE.

Per Press Association

CARTERTON, May 16. The heavy rains throughout the Wairarapa caused high floods in the rivers. Settlers at Kokotau, Dalefield and Matarawa are surrounded, but so far no losses of stock are reported. Difficulty was experienced by dairy farmers in getting to the milk factories, i but the waters are now receding rapidly. 'f The worst damage so far reported is at Hinakura where one of the four bridges erected some ten or twelve years ago over the Palmoa River collapsed and it now lies in the river bed. In consequence the traffic to Bush Gully and beyond has been completely cut off, the only means of egress being on horseback. The weather is clearing and the rain is much lighter. All the rivers have fallen.

The flood in the Pahaoa River was the highest experienced for 20 years.