FLOODS RECEDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 14

FLOODS RECEDING

SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN

SURVEY OF THE DAMAGE MILES OF FENCING LOST ROADS SUFFER SEVERELY [ 11Y TEI.EGII.VrH —OWN CO It H ESPON I) EX T ] AVHANGAREI. Thursday Very little rain fell last night, and to-day was fine, with brilliant sunshine. As a result conditions in the flooded areas have considerably improved. With the receding of the waters the damage done can be more readilv appreciated. In addition to the losses of hay and crops, miles of fencing are down and metal and shingle have been washed off the roads into the paddocks.

Discussing the position to-day, Mr. R. H. P. Ronavne, district engineer of the Public Works Department, stated that a comprehensive stocktaking is being undertaken. It is expected a tentative estimate of the damage will be available early next week. It is expected the main road to Dargaville will be available some time tomorrow. A service car ran to-day, via the Houto route. Eraser's Flat, on the road from Whangarei to Mangakahia, is still several feet under water, which also covers the road.

The water is going down rapidly in the Mangakahia Gorge, but a largo slip has fallen at the Twin Bridges, blocking the road. Gangs of men are at work clearing the slip and it is expected traffic will be able to proceed by this route on Saturday. A number of slips have also come down on the Waimatenui Road.

The road from Whangarei to Kawakawa was reported to bo clear late this afternoon. The water at Kawakawa is still high, but is receding fast. The northern of the Automobile Association reports that the only advisable route to tho Far North is still via the Russell ferry to Paihia, and thence northward. Tho water over the Hikurangi Swamp, which extends over several thousand acres, had risen very considerably to-day as the result of water coming from the back areas and it ndw resembles a huge lake. It will be some days before this water recedes.

DAMAGE TO RAILWAY WORSE THAN EXPECTED A WEEK FOR REPAIRS Damage to railway lines caused by the floods in the North is more extensive than was at first believed, and it is expected that services will not be hack to normal until the end of next week. Serious undermining lias been caused in many places, necessitating a great deal of work by repair gangs when the waters finally recede. Investigations have been carried out by Mr. H. W. Beasley, railway engineer in charge of the Auckland district, who reports that the Kaikohe branch lino is in even worse condition thrui the main line, indications being that it will be well over a week until this section is fully repaired. Serious damage has been caused to the main line between Opahi and Pokapu, where a wash-ont five chains in length and with a maximum depth of 7ft. has occurred. Driftwood and other debris cover the line for a, considerable distance, and in many places where there are large holes tho track is out of alignment. Another serious factor is tho number of approaches to bridges which havo been washed out. Considerable damage, which will take a long time to repair, has been caused to the line in the vicinity of Kawakawa, where scoria ballast has been scoured up trt a depth of 3ft. for about a mile. Three work traihs, loaded with ballast, have been despatched to the North from Auckland. - i The express which usually travels from Auckland to Opua was able to proceed as far as Towai yesterday, and passengers for Kaikohe, Kaitaia and 'A wan u i continued their journey by service car. The express which usually leaves Opua for Auckland made its departure from Hukerenui at 10.46 a.m. Passengers from Auckland for Ruesoll by rail to Whangarei yester*day continuing by service car. Similar arrangements will be carried out daily, until the services are back to normal. In view of the traffic disorganisation the special railway excursion to Opua, arranged for tho week-end, has been postponed until early in tho new year.

KAIKQHE ROADS FREE TEMPORARY BRIDGE REPAIRS [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COHRKSPO.VDKNTJ KAIKOHE, The roads in tho Kaikohe district are now comparatively freo of water, but cautious travelling is necessary on account of the slips and washouts. Arrangements have been made for a pontoon to replace the bridge at Taheke and the bus is to try to get. through to-night. Temporary repairs havo boon made to the No. 1 highway north and south of the Mangakahia Gorge. At the gorge it will require several days to clear a very large slip. The Donnelly's Crossing Road is still blocked about five miles from Kaikohe, but a detour road is being used for the collection of cream and the running of the mail and suppli.es bus. The railwav : s still blocked at Maromaku and from to-night mails and passengers are being carried bv car from Towai, which, for tho present, is the northern railhead. In reply to a request from the Kaikohe Town Board and the Kaikohe Chamber of Commerce, the Minister has approved of an increased allocation to tho Kaikohe unemployment committee to enable men on relief to bo utilised for tho purpose of rehabilitating those farms which havo had fences swept away and buildings destroyed by tho flood. *