WATERS RISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 14

WATERS RISE

FURTHER RAIN IN NORTH FLOODS AT DARGAVILLE LOG BOOM BREAKS AWAY KIRIKOPUNI LINE BLOCKED TRANSFER OF GOODS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DARGAVILLE, Wednesday After a beautifully fine afternoon, the weather broke late last evening and torrential rain began to fall again, con-* tinning all day to-day. This caused flooding in up-line districts, more particularly in the vicinity of Knihu, Maropiu and Mamaranui, where the suddenly rising stream spread over the road and farm paddocks, in many places to a height over the fence tops. W hen the train arrived at 10.30 this morning, if, was noticed the head waters of the -creeks which converge in the Kaihu River at Whatoro were running bank-high. By 1 p.m. tho water was over the lino at Maropiu and was still rising farther down, effectively blocking both road and rail transport on both routes between Waihue and Babvlon. . ' Big Slip on Railway The flood reached the peak at Kirikopuni and Tangiteroria at 10 o'clock last night. By 2 p.m. to-day the waters had dropped two feet, but with tho incoming tide they are not expected to recede much more until to-morrow. At the peak there was nearly three feet of water in the Kirikopuni store and the wharf shed. Wharf and bridge were submerged. Water also invaded the store at Tangijeroria to a depth of three feet. A slip of considerable magnitude, which came down early yesterday morning, blocked the railway line on the loop at Kirikopuni station and yesterday goods railed from Tangowahine were transferred from one train to another, where lines on either side of Kirikopuni station run parallel. At the base of the loop throughout yesterday a gang of men was engaged clearing the fallen spoil. Work was continued to-day. The train did not run from Tangowahine to-day. Stock and goods for railage are being conveyed through to Kirikopuni by motor-lorry, connecting there with the train for Waiotira. Widespread Damage A large stack of hay was carried bodily from the property of Mr. Roy Murdoch, at Kirikopuni, by the rush of flood water yesterday afternoon. The stack, still intact, floated away down the river. Other smaller stacks were also carried away. The property of Mr. A. Beatty, beyond Tangiteroria, was heavily inundated yesterday and cows could not be brought in to the milking shed on the farm last night. The interruption of communication with some parts of the district renders it difficult to secure authoritative information of losses, hut the floods have inflicted considerable damage in the way of loss of stock and broken fences. As the cream collection lorry made the outer trip to Kirikopuni Valley from the Northern Wairoa Co-operative Dairy Company's factory at Kirikopuni this morning, the level of the flood waters in the valley was observed to have receded. However, when the lorry returned about an hour later, the waters commenced to rise again. On the property of Mr. W. S. Goodison, at Kirikopuni, several hundred pigs were endangered by the rising water. The sties in which the animals were housed were washed away, but only one animal was lost. Two hundred logs, were released when a boom burst, carrying away a small bridge above Tangowahine late last night. The logs, which were the property of the Tangowahine Timber Company, were swept downstream overnight and are now scattered over a wide area along the river. Parties in launches and skiffs have been organised to recover them and some have been retrieved as far south as Naumai. Records of Previous Floods of floods experienced at Kirikopuni since 1898 indicate that the level so far reached by» the present, visitation does not constitute a record. Mr. J. Hemphill, from whose diary particulars have beeh obtained, states that the present flood did not reach within nine inches of the water level established hv the inundation of 1917. Mr. Hemphill recalls that two very heavy full ipoon floods were recorded early in 1908, the first on February 38 and the second on March 14- As far as he has been able to ascertain from earlier European settlers and Maoris the record flood at Kirikopuni occurred in 1873, when the level of the water rose to approximately a foot above that recorded in 1917. When the tide was full at three o'clock this afternoon, a great sight was presented by the expanse of water for miles along the course of the Northern Wairoa River, which had spread out over the adjoining land. Fortunately there was no wind and the water was practically _ still, no damage being done. The river is full of floating timber and debris of all kinds, but no dead stock Jias been noticed, although it is reported that a number of animals was lost on the higher reaches of the river. CONDITIONS AT KAIKOHE HIGHWAY STILL SUBMERGED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] KAIKOHE, Wednesday Although the rain ceased last night, a steady downpour set in again this morning, and continued until midafternoon, when it again cleared. Settlers are now inspecting their farms in an effort to assess their losses in stock, damage done to growing crops and the amount of fencing carried away or laid flat. The flood-waters are subsiding and some of the rivers are now confined within their banks, although running bank-high. Tho waters of the Tahoko River, between Kaikohe and Rawene, are still spread nearly a mile along tho highway, and :io steps can be taken at present to make even temporary arrangements to convey passengers and mails across. There is still a tremendous volume of water flowing over tho Taheke Falls, which are situated a little above the si£e of the demolished bridge, and are attracting a large number of sightseers

Owing to the dislocation of the train service, several of the business people in the district are running short of staple commodities, and have telegraphed urgently to have supplies sent by sea. The Railway Department has taken on a force of local lafjnur in order to push forward repairs to the line. A new quarry has been opened in Kaikohe to furnish ballast for the work. The bridge in the Waihou Valley, which wae swept away, interrupting all traffic, north from ,Okaihau on the No. 1 main highway, is being replaced by a temporary structure. The Kaikohe Town Board and the Chamber of Commerce are jointly aj>proaehing the Minister of Employment with a request that the local certifying officer should he allowed to arrange for the use of unemployed labour under the 4A scheme on properties affected by floods.