TRAFFIC RESUMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22963, 15 February 1938, Page 12

TRAFFIC RESUMING

FLOOD DAMAGE EEPAIES MATAKANA STILL ISOLATED MOST ROUTES AGAIN OPEN Good progress was made yesterday in restoring communication with Warkworth and tho North Auckland districts after the damage caused to roads and railway lines by torrential rain at the week-end. Advice received by the Automobile Association (Auckland) yesterday stated that roads were again open for traffic. Slips have not been cleared away entirely, but metalled tracks have been provided enabling cars to proceed round them. Portion of tho slip which had been partially cleared in tho Dome Valley on Sunday camo down during the night, but the road had been cleared again for traffic by nine o'clock yesterday morning. The first four cars won through to the Sandspit at Lower Matakana about three o'clock yesterday afternoon, but sevoral of those left there at the week-end have not yet been removed, tho owners preferring to wait until travelling conditions are further improved. Power Poles Recovered Matakana is still isolated and yesterday stringers and other material for repairing the bridges were sent from Auckland. It is not expected that the road to YVarkworth will be negotiable before mid-day to-morrow. Waitemata Electric-Power Board employees recovered many of the 150 poles washed away by the flood waters, and a fair percentage of the petrol drums lost by the Matakana Co-operative Dairy Company was recovered by a launch which searched as far as Mullet Point. Cream suppliers from Pakiri, Big Omaha and Leigh are still sending their cream across the river by means of a wire rope, but it is expected that a delivery from Pakiri and Leigh will be made via Wellsford, the Dome Valley and Warkworth to-day. Bail Traffic as Usual The road from Leigh to the top of the Pakiri Hill is clear, but it is expected that it will take about three weeks to clear the slips and washouts on the road to the Pakiri flats. Farmers in.the district were able to take stock of their losses yesterday and much damage has been done by silt and debris left by receding floodwaters or brought down by slips. One farmer at Matakana estimates his loss at £4OO.

Rail traffic to Whangarei was able to proceed as usual yesterday. Gangs of men working right through the weekend had the line cleared by 3.30 yesterday morning and normal schedules were run. There were minor delays over those portions of the line affected by flooding and the express from Whangarei was 35 minutes late reaching Auckland last evening.