GRAVE THREAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24846, 18 March 1944, Page 6

GRAVE THREAT

IMPOUNDED iWATEBS TOWN AREA. EVACUATED OVER SIX INCHES OF RAIN (0.C.) WHAKATANE, Friday The impounding of a large volume of flood water behind a blocked culvert at Hillcjrest to-day led to the gravest fears for the safety of the town of Whakatane. A lake about a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide formed against the ramp of earthwork some 80ft. above the business section of the town. By noon the water had poured over the dam and in a comparatively short time had eaten away two-thirds of the roadway, which alone stood between the town and what must have been a major disaster. Acting on the advice of the borough engineer, the Mayor, Mr. 13. S. Bany, bv special announcement, ordered an persons away from the business premises in the Strand. At that time the breaking of the 30ft. culvert was deemed to 1,0 about to take place at any moment. In obedience to this order the town virtually closed up, 90 per cent of the employees going home after making provision for the second flood_ ot the day by blocking and sand-bagging their shop and office entrances. Danger Averted

A large gang of borough, workmen were engaged in seeking to divert the gathering pressure of the impounded waters by digging a side channel, which was completed shortly after 1 p.m. Ihe result or this measure, although not apparent for some time, was that gradually the water level subsided and the immediate danger of a wall of waterbeing plunged into the heart ot the town from a height ot 80ft. ft as averted. . The positioh, however, remained extremely grave until two hours later, when 'the threat was considered definitely removed. The Whakatane business area remained closed for the rest of the day. . The work of cleanng-up the debris is proceeding. All available trucks in the town are combining with dozens of businessmen and labourers temporarily engaged for the purpose of removing the great mass of silt, boulders and metal which is piled on the Strand and Commerce Street.

Power Supply Out Ofi All low-lying areas are still covered, but the main flood has leaving the residential section of Whakatane a dismal scene of silt-covered lawns and gardens. The power supply to the town was cut off to-night when a large drifting log knocked down a pole standing in what had become a flood channel. Owing to the extent of the inundation in that neighbourhood it is expeqted that the line will not'be restored for about two days. Flooding has also occurred in the Rangitaiki Plains again, \vhere service cars and traffic generally have been forced to make detours. The Te Teko road is once more impassable and the alternative route is via McCracken's Road. The main road between Whakatane and Taneatua is also cut off owing to flooding and a major .slip in the Waimata Gorge. The rain in Whakatane last night measured 6.37 in.

DOWNPOUR AT WAIROA RAILWAY AND ROADS BLOCKED (0.c.) GISBORNE, Friday Further heavy rain has been falling in this district, the Wairoa area getting a very heavy downpour, with 3.80 in. in 24 hours, including over 2in. in two hours this morning, bringing the total for March to 12.70 in. Further slips have occurred on the railwav south of Wairoa and the line was blocked for some hours at Raupunga. Roads south of Wairoa are also giving trouble and the detour round the Devil's Elbow, which was blocked last week, is also impassable now. The Waikaremoana-Rotorua road remains blocked. SHIPS ON THE WAY COAL FROM WEST COAST SUPPLIES FOR GASWORKS Three Union Steam Ship Company vessels are now on their way to Auckland from West Coast ports with coal cargoes to relieve the gas situation. The Kaimiro, which has 1300 tons of coal from West port for the Auckland Gas Company, is expected here co-morrow. The Kakapo has left Westport and is due in Auckland to-morrow night or on Monday morning. Leaving Greymouth yesterday afternoon, the Karepo is expected on Monday. The Kiwitea is reported to have finished loading 2300 tons at Greymouth. The heaviest demands for some time on the Grey district coal output by shipping have been made this week. Altogether, in about seven days, 6500 tons of coal have been required and about 4000 tons will be loaded next week.

FLYING CROSS AWARD AIRMAN PRESUMED DEAD (P.A.) WKLLINCT'IN, !<>idny | Official confirmation of the award of | the Distinguished Flying Cross to I Squadron-Leader Donald Carr MacKcn-1 zie, R.A.F., whose death on active j service was presumed to have taken j place in June, 1943, has been received i by the Air Department, Wellington. Rorn in 1921, Squadron-Loader MacKenzie was a son of Mr. J. G. MacKeuzie, Director of Reserves, Wellington. I UNFINISHED HOUSES FIXING OF SALE VALUES The difficulty of determining values of houses proposed to be sold while under construction was evident in three such cases which came before the Auckland Urban Land Sales Committer yesterday. In one, relating to a house at Mount Roskill, the issue was complicated when the purchaser's solicitor began to cross-examine a valuer with the object of showing that some of the builder's work was inferior. The chairman, Mr. W. R. Tuck, stopped the examination, remarking that he was not going to help the purchaser to obtain ammunition for possible use in the Supreme Court. After further discussion the committee fixed the price at £1650, as originally proposed, this being the value estimated on the assumption that the house would be completed in accordance with the contract. SERIOUS INJURY IN FALL Falling in the street outside her home, INtrs. Violet Smith, aged 66, of 40 Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn, suffered a fractured loft hip ycsteiday afternoon. She was admitted to the Auckland Hospital and her condition last night was fairly serious. CAR AND CYCLE COLLIDE When ho collided with a motor-car at the intersection of Nikau Street and Great North Road last evening, a cyclist, Noel Arnold Schwann, a salesman. aged 18, son of Mr. H. Schwann, of Great North Road, Glen Eden, suffered a broken right arm and collarbone. Ho was taken to the Auckland Hospital and his condition last night was not serious. ACCIDENT VICTIM The condition of Maurice Hart, aged six, who was knocked down by a car on Thursday afternoon, was reported by the Auckland Hospital last night to be still serious. He is a son of Mr. S. A. Harb, of 72 Poosooby Road.