WHIROKINO ROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 151, 27 May 1935, Page 6

WHIROKINO ROAD.

HIGHAVAY STILL BLOCKED,

Flood waters from the Manawatu River still blocked the main highway at AVhirokino, south of Foxton, at 1 o’clock to-day. There were over four feet of water there yesterdav, but the level was slowly receding, tinder tho water on the road it is reported that a considerable amount of debris is lying Motorists meanwhile will have to use the route via Shannon.

Tho main highway between Bourke’s Drain and the Oroua River at Rangiotu was clear of water again yesterday, after having been covered since Thursday evening, though it was negotiable by traffic on Saturday. There was still a considerable amount of water on lowlying land to the left of Rangitane, and back in the Taomi basin, but it was steadily receding, leaving waterlogged paddocks. One property to-day was still completely under water, while 000 acres of another of 800 acres were flooded. Drains were being dug to facilitate the discharge of the water which, however, was getting away much more quickly than after previous floods.

It is anticipated that a great deal of the farmland will bo covered by the flood water for many weeks yet. Messrs Harrison and Lett’s property is still covered to the extent of five or six hundred acres and there are several hundred acres beside these under water. This will probably exercise a retarding effect on tire spring growth as the paddocks will be soaked for a considerable time and so prevent working. The opinion was expressed to-day that the banking work performed at ■Hamilton’s Bend had averted a flood of much greater proportions and it was emphasised that immense benefit would accrue if completion of tho banking were effected as an urgent work for the district.

The settlers in the area caught by the flood experienced an anxious period, as hundreds of head of sheep and cattle were removed to higher levels. Messrs Harrison and Lett had to shift 1000 sheep and 500 catti«. also a quantity of pigs, losing about 20 out of p, total of 200 of the latter.