SERIOUS FLOODS IN WAIKATO

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3477, 13 October 1926, Page 7

SERIOUS FLOODS IN WAIKATO

Electrical Works Completely Submerged

RIVER HIGHEST FOR TWENTY YEARS

[Per Press Association.] HAMILTON. Oct. 12

Abnormal rain has fallen throughout the Waikato province during the past week. The Waikato river rose rapidly yesterday, reaching the highest level recorded for twenty years. The waters are now recoding. At the peak of the flood, the river was 12 feet above normal. The new wharf at Hamilton was submerged to a depth of 21 feet, and the wharf sheds and offices were endangered. but no fears aro now entertained.

At Arapuni, the Waikato river is running cliff to cliff, totally submerging the coffer dam and excavations with a foaming torrent, which was a beautiful sight shooting out of the diversion tunnel, the power developed being about 24,000 h.,p. Tho tunnel was constructed to handle 14,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) but is successfully carrying 22,000 cesucs. Tho power-house site is completely flooded. The flood reached the 24,000 cusec mark at 6 a.m.

On Sunday tho river came over the gabion dam in a wall water four feet high. The gabions have held fast, and no gear has been carried away. The greatest damage was done to the lower auxiliary dam, which was partially completed, and tho contractors have received a set-back. Tho company will be forced to remove tho deposit of silt accumulated by the flood. It is impossible for cars to travel between Hamilton and Auckland; Rangiriri is isolated at Mercer where a mile of road is 21 feet under water. Extensive slips occurred throughout tho province, and culverts were washed out.

Farmers suffered general damage, land being under water, but there were no losses of stock. Tho Waipa County suffered severely. Cream and postal delivery was stopped in places, and road communication in various parts of the district cut off. To-day broke fine, but the sky was later overcast and tho outlook is not bright. “LIMITED” REACHES AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Reports from Hangatiki regarding tho floods on the railway line, indicate that the waters have appreciably receded. The “limited” express, which left Wellington for Auckland on Sundaynight, and was held at To Kuiti last night, negotiated the flooded area carefully, and arrived at Auckland about 11.30 this morning, the journey having thus taken forty hours. Yesterday’s two expresses from Wellington, were formed into one combined train at Taumarunui, and arrived at Auckland at 1 o’clock this afternoon. To-night’s expresses for Wellington loft at the usual times, and no further trouble from flooding is anticipated.

The weather conditions look more promising.