DESOLATE SCENE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23592, 28 February 1940, Page 10

DESOLATE SCENE

TARANAKI ISOLATION SUPPLIES SENT BY AIR ROAD AND KAIL DAMAGE GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT [I»Y TELEGRAPH—OWN* CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH. Tuesday The* whole of the northern and eastern districts of the Taranaki Province are to-day a scene of desolation. The actual cost of repairing the damage will not be known for perhaps weeks, but it is too huge a task lor tile local authorities concerned and is of such magnitude that Government aid has been appealed for. The' matter of greatest immediate concern is that settlers and travellers throughout the district from Uruti to Mahoenui are, all in need of food and in many cases shelter and bedding. Supplies of food and blankets were assembled at the New Plymouth airport this morning and at 11 a.m. two New Zealand Air Force aeroplanes were despatched on a relief (light. Settlers 011 the main road have nearly all been contacted, but some.settlers on remote side roads are subjects of anxiety, as it is reported that every side road is closed by slips of. varying size. All main telephone lines were working to-day, although the disaster had created a tremendous pressure of longdistance calls.

There is no exit from New Plymouth northward and no indication pan be given as to when traffic will be resumed either by road or via the StratfordMaiti Trunk railway. Road traffic is practically at a standstill, as connection with Auckland entails a deviation as far east as Napier. Communication with Auckland by air lias not been interrupted, and, in addition to the usual afternoon service, Union Airways ran a special aeroplane from Auckland this afternoon, and this aeroplane made a special return trip northward, leaving New Plymouth at J. 30 p.m.