AN ANXIOUS DAY

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

AN ANXIOUS DAY

WHANGAJfEI DISTRICT FURTHER RAIN FALLS WEATHER CLEARS LATER HEAVY LOSSES OF CROPS [BY N XELEfRAPH —OWN correspondent] WHANG AREI. Wednesday Steady rain set in again shortly after 8 o'clock this morning, continuing until :i o'clock this afternoon, causing the floods to rise again in one or two areas. To-night is fine and the weather has the appearance of clearing. The rainfall in Whangarei for the 21 hours ending 9 a.m. to-day was O.OOin. and at, Ruatangata, 12 miles north-east of Whangarei, 1.62 in., making a total at Ruatangata of 9.86 in. since Saturday. At, Whakapara the water to-day rose over the road to the extent of 3ft., traffic being blocked. In most other areas, the flood waters have receded since yesterday, the drop in the Mangaknhia district being about Bft. A small bridge at Fraser's Flat on the Whangarei-Titiko Road was washed away but has been anchored and can easily be replaced. Cream, was collected in the Maiigakahia district to-day for the first time this week. There has been no school at Parakao, as the school teacher resides on the other side of the flooded river and has been unable to cross. '• ' ; !' • Service Cars Resume The service car operated on the Whangarei - Dargaville run to-day, travelling via Houto, and the service cars also ran from Pakotai to Whangarei. Tho road is still blocked between Pakotai and tho northern end of the Mangakahia Gorge by flooding and slips in .the gorge but traffic should be normal to-morrow. The steady rain to-day caused great anxiety among farmers of the Mangakahia district who feared that tho water would again rise but reports this evening indicate that the water is steadily receding. It was estimated this evening that there are still about 500 acres of flat land under water in this area. The immediate effect of the floods generally on pasture lands is very serious owing to the time they have been covered. The water is receding slowly, causing several inches of silt to be formed. This will ultimately benefit tho land but the provision of feed for dairying herds at the peak of the season is a difficult one for farmers who have suffered severe losses of hay and crops. Many Hay Crops Ruined

In many areas, not actually covered with water, hay crops cut last week have been ruined and in some instances stacks of new hay are steaming, indicating the penetration of water into stacks which unless attended to soon, are likely to take fire through overheating. Many other cases are reported of paddocks of grass cut for haymaking prior to floods having been completely washed away. One farmer estimates his loss through this cause as equivalent to approximately 1000 bales. Heavy losses are reported of turnip and mangold crops, whole paddocks being practically stripped. The position is very serious. As the season is so far advanced it is doubtful if another crop can be grown. Prominent farmers state that unless a second crop of grass can be grown for haymaking, many farmers will be in a difficult position for winter feed as they are not in the position to buy hay from neighbours or other districts. A gratifying feature in the Whangarei district is the small loss of stock.

The district engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr. R. H. P. Ronayne, is rushing forward a large quantity of metal from the Tauraroa quarry for railway fillings on the northern sections. A great volume, of water has flooded the railway north l of Motatau and a works train this morning with engineers from Auckland and gangers from Whangarei left Whangarei with a view to getting through this afternoon. Despatch ol Mails Arranged

The postmaster at Whangarei, Mr. A. Clark, made arrangements to-day for the despatch of the mail for the North by using the deparment's own lorry. The mails were sent to Russell and taken over the harbour by launch and then by a second lorry up the east coast to Kaitaia. Mails for the west coast of North Auckland were sent to Dargaville, via Waiotira. by train. The department's lorry conveyed them to Rawene'and other northern centres. ' The accumulated mail from the North, which will arrive this evening by the lorry from Russell, will be immediately sorted in the Whangarei office. Mail for Moerewa and Kawakawa was taken to Towai by train this afternoon, thence to its destination by the department's lorry. The northern patrol of the Automobile Association reports that the Auck-land-Paparoa-Dargaville Road is now clear, but short delays may occur at small slips. Several slips have come down in the Maungaturoto Gorge, which, however, is quite passable with ordinary care. The Kaitaia-Whangaroa-Ohaeawai Road was quite free this morning. The route between Kaitaia and Rangiahua, via Mangamuka Gorge, is also open, but south of Rangiahua the road is blocked by the destruction of the Puketi Bridge. The only route open connecting Whangarei with the Far North 19 via Russell. Many cars are being ferried across to Paihia and thence proceeding to Whangaroa and Kaitaia. HOKIANGA FARMERS WORKING PARTIES ON ROADS [by telegraph—own correspondent] KOIIUKOHU, Wednesday Farmers in the Hokianga district have formed working bees and by an almost unceasing effort have succeeded in patching the roads satisfactorily. Farmers on the eastern side of Hokianga, who supply the Hokianga factory, were compelled to send their cream to the Kaikohe factory owing to the destruction of the Taheke Bridge, which provides access to the Hokianga factory at Kaihu, on the Dargaville Road. There was 12ft. of water over the main road this morning, which caused a complete severance of communication between Dargaville and Hokianga. Although the weather is more settled, more rain appears likely.