TOWNSHIP ISOLATED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 May 1929, Page 10

TOWNSHIP ISOLATED.

RESIDENTS LEAVE HOMES,

DAMAGE IN WAIRARAPA.

« LOSSES OF STOCK FEARED.

[by telegraph-.—press association.] MASTERTON. Wednesday.

The worst floods experienced at Tinui for over 20 years occurred to-day. The Castlepoint County office and several residences were invaded by flood waters and the township, which is 30 miles from Mastorton, is completely isolated. No mails were despatched or received to-day. A sheet of water stretches from hillside to hillside all the way from Tinui to Langdale. In 24 hours to seven o'clock this morning about 6in. of rain fell.

The residences invaded by flood waters are those of Messrs. Liddington, H. F. Mclsaac, and T. A. Weston, Constable Wilson and the vicarage occupied by the Rev. H. Whitby James, In tho county office tho water rose to a depth of 6in. or 7in., and tho county clerk, Mr. T. A. Weston, had to remove his office books and other papers to a safer place. The inroads of the water at the residences mentioned were so serious that they had to be vacated, except in the case of the vicarage, where the occupants were absent. There, however, residents found articles of furniture floating round the rooms and they promptly removed all articles from the floor.

Good service was rendered by Messrs. R. J. Stevenson and P. Fly and Constable Wilson in assisting residents. Mr. Stevenson had to remove his motor-lorry from his garage, in which tho water was 3ft. deep. It reached the doorstep of his house. Mr. E. H. Schofield had to vacate his house.

It was anticipated that losses of stock in the district will be fairly heavy as the flood came so suddenly that settlers had little time to remove sheep. Latest reports show that the waters aro receding, but rain is still falling heavily this ovening, and with tho backing up of the Whareama River by the tide further trouble is expected. Rivers aro reported to be rising in the lower Wairarapa valley this evening and floods may be expected to occur in that district in the next 24 hours. Water was flowing over the Martin-borough-Featherston Road early this evening. Damago has also occurred on the east coast from Martinborough. REPORT FROM WAIPUKURAU SEVERAL HOUSES FLOODED. RAIN STILL FALLING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIPUKURAU, Wednesday. Following 36 hours' steady rain the Tukituki River is higher than it has been for a great many years, and in many places it has overflowed its banks. Lowlying areas near the river aro inundated and the water has entered several houses, residents having to vacate their homes. . Reports from Takapau, Porangahau and Tikotino indicate heavy flooding. Serious loss of stock, . particularly sheep, is feared. Lake Ilatumo overflowed its banks this afternoon, and tho waters arc now spreading over a big area. A portion of the Waipukurau racecourse is inundated, and also portions of Russell and Central Parks. Road communication with the East Coast and Wellington is interrupted. Residents who have been in tho district for 30 years state they have never known such a flood. Little damage has been done in the borough area. The river is rising and rain is still falling. HOUSE BLOWN DOWN. PAIHIA RESIDENT'S LOSS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI, Wednesday. An eight-roomed house at PaiLia, owned by Mr. H. S. Ladbrook, was blown down by tho gale on Monday night. The roof started to lift on Sunday, and fortunately the occupants moved to other quarters, for on Monday night a wall collapsed and the roof was carried away by the hurricane, which came up the Bay of Islands like a blast through a funnel. The house, which was of the bungalow type, was situated right on the beach and was one of the finest in Paihia.