Sunshine Again: Floods Leave Mark

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1938, Page 6

Sunshine Again: Floods Leave Mark

Sunshine greeted Whangarei and district this morning after om of the wettest spells for many months. Throughout the district the floods experienced earlier in the week are subsiding rapidly, although there is still a considerable amount of work to be done clearing roads of slips and repairing washouts. Apart from a heavy shower at about 10 a.m., Whangarei has been comparatively free of rain today, and the indications are for finer weather during the next few days. Kaikohe Road Blocked. With the exception of the Dargaville highway and the Mangakahia route to Kaikohe, all roads in and out of Whangarei are open for ordinary traffic. A track was made across the slip at the Twin Bridges on the Mangakahia road yesterday, and it was thought Kaikohe traffic would bo able to traverse this. However, a big slip came down during the day on the other side of the bridges, rendering the road absolutely impassable for traffic. The second slip is much bigger than the first and it will be some considerable time before the road is expected to be clear.

Taylor’s Fiat Under Water,

Water still covers Taylor’s Flat, on the Whangarei-Dargaville highway, and all traffic must take the Houto deviation route. It is expected that the road across Taylor’s Flat will be flooded at least until tomorrow morning. The deviation route is cutting up badly owing to the amount of traffic on it, but there is no danger to motorists. , Throughout the North there are minor slips, but no difficulty is being experienced in making through trips. Costly Bridge Damage. On the Tutukaka-Matapouri road 800 yards of slips have occurred, although traffic can make the journey with little difficulty. It will be some time, however, before the slips are cleared.

No detailed estimates have been made of the flood damage, but, apart from the loss of bridges in the Whangarei county, the loss is not expected to be very considerable. One of the principal items will bo the clearance of the Tutukaka-Matapouri route.

A bridge has been washed away on McGregor’s road. Taiharuru, Whangarei Heads, and is causing some inconvenience to settlers. Normal Train Services,

All train services north and south of Whangarei have resumed normal schedule and are running to time. Minor damage to the Auckland-Opua line is receiving the attention of the department. The Auckland-Whangaroi service car is running to time.