NORTH ISLAND FLOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22716, 31 October 1935, Page 10

NORTH ISLAND FLOODS

LARGE AREA INUNDATED SUPS IN MANAWATU GORGE (Per United Press Association) PALMERSTON N., October 30. The flooding of the low-lying areas between Tiakitahuna and Rang'otu is threatened through a rise in the Manawatu and Oroua Rivers and the overflowing of drains. If the waters continue to rise as they are doing, it is likely that a large area will be inundated, and that the water will cross the main Palmerston-Foxton road between Tiakitahuna and Rangiotu. Stock has been removed to the higher areas from various parts in the Taonui basin, which already carries sheets of water from the drains, the outflow of which is barred owing to the height of the Manawatu River, which itself is slightly overflowing and filling the lagoons at Tiakitahuna. For several days the largest flot-d experienced for years has been pouring down the Tiritea Valley, and the road to the city reservoir is blocked. A Teek in the vicinity of the Rangitikei line backed up so much that it overflowed, but did not impede the traffic. The Whirokino road, south of Foxton. is still blocked by water. A large slip came down in the Manawatu Gorge during the night nea.* the Manawatu end, blocking the route, but it is expected to be cleared sufficiently to allow vehicles to pass within a few hours. Two other slips fell, but temporary tracks have been cleared. Boulders also fell, smashing the handrail at three points. The whole gorge route is reported to .be in a very dangerous condition. There has been a continual bombardment of the roadway by small fragments of stone. Conditions are still unsettled. A track has been cleared through the debris in the gorge, but the rain continues. The road is still dangcous owing to falling debris. POSITION IN WAIRARAPA WATER RECEDES RAPIDLY (Per United Press Association) MASTERTON, October 30. The position in the Wairarapa improved greatly during to-day. The deluge in the Tararuas on Monday night was responsible for sudden flooding on Tuesday, and the water receded from many localities almost as quickly as it came. To-day the Kokotau, Ahiakiuka and Tawaha areas were free of water, which, however, was still lying at Kahutara and Te Hopai. The flooding of the latter two regions was due entirely to a breach in the Kahutara stopbank which occurred earlier this year. As these areas are very low, it will be some time before they are free of water. As the propertyowners had ample warning, no stock losses are reported. The northern approach to the Waiohine bridge on the main Masterton-Wellington highway near Greytown was undermined, and all traffic was diverted via Matarawa and Dalefield until temporary repairs were effected, these being completed this afternoon. All roads are now open again except the Kahutara road, which will remain under water for some days at least, and the Mangatarere Valley road, near Carterton, portion of which was washed away. HUTT RIVER FLOOD VALUE OF PROTECTIVE WORKS. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 30. Yesterday's flood in the Hutt River served to show the value of the work carried out by the River Board in recent years, as, despite the fact that the river rose 13 feet above normal, no serious damage has occurred anywhere. Only in one spot did the river works fail. This was at the flood gate at the rear, of the Hutt High School. It collapsed with a section of the culvert, allowing a large quantity of water through, but the stream was eventually blocked by sandbagging, and any further danger averted. When dredging has been carried out at the river mouth for the proposed reclamation scheme in that area, property-owners in the Hutt Valley will be practically secure from any anxiety regarding the river in future.