MORE RAIN ENDS IN FLOODS

Northern Advocate, 23 January 1936, Page 6

MORE RAIN ENDS IN FLOODS

LITTLE DAMAGE DONE, HOWEVER The late Mr. Clement Wragge, most noted of the Dominions weather prophets, drew up a cycle of the seasons prior to his death. His anticipation that 1935 would be a wet year in Northland was more than borne out with a record rainfall, and in view of this, it is rather disturbing to know that the eminent meteorologict forecast that 1936 would be still wetter. With two floods since New Year’s Day, confirmation of this latter prophecy has ,not been lacking so far. Teeming Rain. For the past two days rain teemed down consistently in Whangarei, a fall of 2,21 inches for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. this morning following one of 2.43 for Tuesday. The fall for the month so far has been inches, well above the January average. With the observance of a virtual holiday throughout the North yesterday, coupled with the fact that the flood waters did not rise until late in the afternoon, the flood caused little dislocation to traffic or business. All routes in the middle North were blocked last night, and, with rain continuing to teem down in torrents, cause for anxiety, was given. However, after midnight, the storm, which, at times, had risen to a height which damaged hayricks and flattened growing crops in exposed positions, dropped, and, by three o’clock, the rain had ceased. /A Bad Effect On Crops. The wetness of the season will have a bad effect on tomatoes and late potato crops, which are subject to blighting. The yield of stone fruit, this peason has been poor,, but this also will supply further deprivation by brown rot. The flood did not reach serious dimensions in the Mangakahia Valley. A section of road between Parakao and Pakotai, where traffic was .blocked last night, was free this morning, although further down the Valley, Fraser’s Flat was submerged to a depth of two feet. However, it is anticipated that there will be no hold up in communication this evening. Taylor’s Flat, on the main Whanga-rei-Dargaville Road, was closed to traffic for some hours, but it was expected would subside with the fall of the tide today. » Waded Through Flood.

Although Mr. Webb, the service car driver, could not proceed past Pakotai last night, he got the mails for Whangarei through, wading the flooded gap up to his hips to do so. The passengers spent the night at Titoki, which Mr, Webb made his starting point on today’s run. For 50 miles of its length, the Mangakahia river is blocked by willows on either side, narrowing the water course open for the escaping floods. Slips, to the number of six, came down with such suddenness on the Whangarei-Russell Road that seven cars were caught at various paints between them, and will remain marooned until the gangs now working clear the roadway. The service car got through just in time last night, but it is doubtful whether it will resume its running until Saturday, Exceptionally High.

Exceptionally high flooding occurred in the Whakapara, Waiotu and Hukerenui districts, where 8,000 acres of land are under water. For the first time in many months, the Hikurangi Dairy Company has had to resort to train carriage of its cream supplies from points North of Hukerenui, which is made the collecting centre. Last night cows grazing on the Towai show grounds where an exhibition is to be held in three weeks time, disported themselves as swimmers, and many herds went unmilked last night and this morning. Little material damage was done, but paddocks -have been left heavily coated in silt, and much hay has been destroyed. Blocked At Hukerenui.

The road at Hukerenui is likely to be blocked all day, but it may be possible to use the detour route through the Waiotu Block, Between Kawakawa and Towai the floods had subsided today, but towards Moerewa the main, north road will remain impassable. At Mr Kellon’s store, Whakapara, flood waters entered the building to a depth of a few inches, the first occas,sion since the “old man” flood of July. As the water gets away to lower levels, severe flooding is expected in the southernmost part of the Hikurangi swamp this afternoon. Railways Clear. The railways both North and South of Whangarei, with the exception of slight delays were not subjected to flooding. The express from Opua to Auckland was held up at' Otiria for a quarter of an hour pending the late arrival of service cars. Owing to blocked roads at Whakapara hurried arrangements had to be made for the cartage of cream for the Hikurangi Dairy Company by a goods train. The same occurred through other flooded roads, making it necessary for the rail to convey stock from Ruatangata to Moerewa.

In the Hokianga, mainly about Rawene, Waima and Taheke, traffic was inconvenienced last night. If no further rain falls, the water in this district will disappear quickly. So far there has been no difficulty in getting through between Whangarci and Auckland.