HEAVY FALL IN KING COUNTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 October 1926, Page 2

HEAVY FALL IN KING COUNTRY

ROADS UNDER. WATER

TE KUITI, This Day

T he. heaviest downpour of rain experienced in the King Country for many years occurred on Saturday and Sunday, 2J, inches failing in 24 hours between 9 a.m. on these days. The business part, of the town escaped serious flooding, hut the school ground is under water and primary classes were suspended to-day. The racecourse is under water lour feel in places. The To Kami road is 4 feet under water. The Mangaokera River is the highest known for seven years and over the bank. The road is covered to five feet. Some residents were completely isolated early this morning. The railway settlement Te Kumi is isolated for pedestriau and motor traffic. Another 6 inches would have flooded houses. Three miles north of Hangatiki there is 6 indies of water on the railway line. All trains were held up last night. The water is now fulling and it is hoped to get trains through by midday. On the New Plymouth road all motor traffic was held up yesterday owing to 4 feet of water on the road 8 miles from To Kuiti. The alternative route via Mairoa was also blocked yesterday, but this will bo available to-day. The weather is -still heavy and overcast, but file glass is rising and the water is receding.

SLIPS ON MAIN TRUNK LINE

TAUMARUNUT, This Day

Heavy rain fell continuously cm Saturday, with the result that a heavy slip occurred on the railway line between Kakahi and Owliango yesterday. A special works train was despatched front Ohakune and commenced work on tho slip at 8 o'clock last night. By five o'clock Ibis morning the line was cleared and two Auckland expresses, which were delayed at Taumaramii, then proceeded south as one train.

Trains from Wellington have not yet reached Taumarunui, being hold up by a slip near Marten. Local goods trains were somewhat disorganised to-day. Heavy rain has now ceased though the weather is still threatening,

IN THE SOUTH

DUNEDIN, This Day

For twenty-four hours ended 9 o'clock this morning I.6Bins of rain fell. With the wind shifting away a little from the south the weather is improving, though dull, with more rain probable, hut the possibilities of a flood on the Taieri are remote. The river is falling.

FLOOD AT MARTON

MARTON, This Day

Following thirty-six hours’ almost continuous rain Rangiteki presents a very sodden appearance, although tho waters are now subsiding. A heavy fall at iMarton caused streams fo burst bank's, resulting in severe flooding of cellars of business premises. Last night (lie. roadway was completely covered to a depth in some places of seven inches. The street resembled a. mill race. At Marlon Hotel damage was done to the extent of almost £IOO. The sawmill is flooded and work is proceeding with great difficulty. Owing to the heavy rush of water the surface of the main roads was worn off in many places. Numerous slips are also reported. A serious slip occurred on the railway near (treat lord, when the north bound limited express was passing. It is he--lieved the vibration of I lie train loosened the face of (lie embankment, resulting in a fall of several tons of earth. The postal van at the rear of the train struck the debris and two wheels were derailed and the train held up twelve hours. Arrangements were made at Marion, to provide, passengers with food. A witness of the slip which delayed the limited considers if fortunate the train was proceeding at a slow pace, otherwise the slip might have proved a terrible calamity. The train proceeded north at noon.