Not Acres, But Square Miles, Covered

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 7

Not Acres, But Square Miles, Covered

[Per Press Association. Copyright.] DUNEDIN, This D.ay. One of the worst floods in the history cf the Taieri district has caused crippling loss to many farmers on these fertile plains. The flood threatens to sweep away the results of a year’s hard effort. The rain has inundated not acres, but square miles, of farming country adjacent to Dunedin, and created a scene of desolation which has to be seen to be believed. For 20 miles there was not a square yard of dry land to be seen yesterday afternoon. Homes Washed Away. It was impossible to estimate the heavy stock losses or the homes that have been virtually washed away. The rising tide yesterday afternoon banked the flood waters on the Taieri higher and higher, but an incessant downpour, more relentless in the back country, was falling at a late hour last night. The actual material losses, to say nothing of the winter feed destroyed, are inconsiderable when placed beside the devastation of rural homesteads which were evacuated throughout the day, mostly by boat. Late yesterday afternoon boats were conveyed to the flooded areas by motor lorry, and 20 men with specially equipped ambulances stood by to assist in the evacuation of marooned settlers and their families. Higher Than For 20 Years. Early in the day word was broadcast by radio that the Taieri River at Middlemarch was higher than it had been for 20 years. As a result thousands of sheep and cattle were moved to higher country, and heavy loss was avoided. Nevertheless, many horses were lost in some areas and .hundreds of sheep have perished. Cattle, on the other hand, appear to have fared much better. South and west Taieri have suffered most, and settlers are convinced that it is the worst flood the district has ever known. At the Otokia bridge the river has risen 14ft, 9in., which is higher than the last big flood of 1923. Read Traffic Impossible. Road traffic south is impossible, and the township of Henley is completely marooned from both north and south. The full extent of the devastation cannot be known for several days, as it is impossible to approach nearer than five or six miles to the district most seriously affected. In Dunedin itself, although the Leith is still running high, there is no.cause for anxiety. « All exits by road and rail, except those to the north, were blocked yesterday, and there are reports of flooding from many country districts.