Water Over Road at Pakipaki

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 6

Water Over Road at Pakipaki

BIG CARS AND LORRIES GET THROUGH From Our Own Correspondent. HASTINGS, Last Night. .Extraordinary scenes were witnessed at Pakipaki this morning when the flooded Awanui stream joining waters backed up from the Poukawa Lake area, was responsible for partially blocking the main road south from Hastings. By “partially” it is meant that motor lorries and a few big cars

did get through. To all intents and purposes, however, the road was impassable for ordinary traffic. At one period as many as 30 cars and trucks were standing on the Hastings side of the flood waters and upwards of 100 people stood about discussing the situation while the rain poured down.

Occasionally a lorry would crawl through, sending a wave of water ahead like a launch in a harbour. Then a smaller car would be tempted to emulate the bigger vehicle. Results generally were disastrous and several cars were left to the mercy of the waters.

Colour was added to the scene by the presence of many Maoris from the nearby pa and native settlement, some of whom were in bathing costumes of various hues acting as guides to the venturesome motorists who were determined to “give it a go.” Realising the importance of making

bread deliveries to customers between Hastings and Waipukurau the Hastings Bakery put its van, loaded with bread, on one of Messrs. Pawdrell Bros.’ large lorries, took it through the flood in this way and unloaded it at the Waipawa railway - siding. The van then carried on its delivery in the usual way. Other vehicles to get through were the Waipuku.rau-Hastings service bus. and Newman Bros.’ service cars going both ways.

The only light car to get through ran along the railway line. The driver of this car had an anxious time when he found that the cattle-stop rails on the Hastings side were running longitudinally instead of horizontially as was the case when he gained access tc the line. However, by the use of planks lent by the Maoris he was able to regain the road before a train cairn alone.