ROADS BLOCKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 16

ROADS BLOCKED

AUCKLAND PROVINCE EXTENSIVE FLOODING SEVERAL BRIDGES DAMAGED Heavy rain which was general throughout the Auckland Province yesterday resulted in extensive flooding and many roads are blocked, particularly in the Thames and Coromandel districts. Slips and wash-outs have occurred over a wide area and a number of bridges have been damaged. According to an Automobile Association report last night the rain was continuing and further blockages and flooding were anticipated. The Thames correspondent of the Herald reported last night that, following 24 hours' heavy rain, the Kauaerauga Stream had flooded farmlands to a depth of several feet. The Main South Road at Tarawai was submerged, while the Kirituri , and Matatoki Streams were both flowing over the road. The Puru Stream on the coast was bank high. Large Falls of Earth Two extensive slips came down from high country north of Thornton's Bay, one of which, containing huge boulders, was difficult to cope with. The Coromandel and Mercury Bay roads are both blocked by slips. Similarly, huge falls of earth at Amodeo Bay have rendered the routes to Whangapoua and Kennedy Bay impassable. There is a wash-out at one end of the Waiau Bridge, south of Coromandel. and the bridge is in a dangerous condition. The Julias Bridge, further south, is also badly damaged by a wash-out.

During the height of the gale yesterday morning waves were washing over the wall leading to the Coromandel Wharf, and some damage occurred. The north approach to the new Waikawau Bridge again suffered after having just been repaired following the effects of a recent flood. Stream Across Eoad

The Paeroa-Thames road is blocked at Omahu, where a stream is flowing across the road 3ft. deep. Blockages through floods have also occurred on the roads from Paeroa to Waihi and To Aroha respectively, although it is reported that all buses running to and from Paeroa yesterday were able to negotiate the routes. According to an Automobile Association report, the Tirau-Taupo road is in bad condition owing to reconstruction work and the route by way of Rotorua is recommended if the rain continues. There is much surface mud on the Hamilton-Tirau highway, but the road remains open. Both the TaupoNapier and Napier-Wairoa roads are blocked. Conditions in the North - In the north, the Auckland-Helens-villo and Helensville-Wellsford roads are open, although water is lying on the latter highway. Traffic is also unaffected on the highways from Auckland to Whangarei and to Dargaville. The main route connecting Whangarei and Dargaville is impassable, but communication is being maintained through the Houtu detour. "Floods at Whakapara have stopped traffic on the Wha-ngarei-Kawakawa highway, and the Russell Road is also closed.

Although a number of the county roads the far north have been damaged through slips and scouring, the main routes have escaped lightly and are open to traffic.

RAILWAY SUBMERGED POSITION NEAR PAEROA CANCELLATION OF SERVICES NORTH ROUTE NOW CLEAR While flood-waters over the railway between Hoteo and Kaipara Flats receded yesterday and normal services were resumed, the Railway Department was faced with fresh difficulties in the afternoon following heavy rain in the Paeroa and Te Aroha districts. At Marigaiti, four miles north of Te Aroha, the line became submerged to a considerable depth and all trains last night and tip- to daylight this morning were cancelled. The water began to recede late last night, however, and an attempt to use the line again will be made at about seven o'clock this morn 4 ing. Gangers reported at 5.30 p.m. yesterday that flood-waters were rising over the line at Mangaiti, but mixed trains from Tauranga to Frankton and from Frankton to Paeroa were able to get through at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. After that, however, t]ie water rose to such an extent that it was tinsafe for further trains to proceed. The tain eased in density at about eight o'clock, but intermittent showers still continued to fall. Flood-waters on the line between Hoteo and Kaipara Flats which had roached a depth of 'lft. on Tuesday night rapidly receded yesterday morning, and a goods train from the North was able to get through about 10 a.m. Shortly afterwards, normal services wero resumed and were maintained without further interruption. Light showery rain continued to fall in the district throughout the day. Work proceeded yesterday on clearing two slips which are blocking the Kirikopuni line, and it is expected that trains will be running to-day. For the past two days passengers for JDargavillf have been carried by buses from Paparoa. Other lines have not been affected by the general downpour throughout the province.