FLOODS IN THE AKITIO COUNTY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13179, 11 February 1936, Page 5

FLOODS IN THE AKITIO COUNTY.

CONTRACTORS’ HEAVY LOSS. File Peacocke Construction Co. suffered heavy losses during the storm and flood a week ago at PongaThey had just started the new War© Ware bridge for the Akitio County Council which spans a tribute) ry of the Aohanga River near where the latter joins the main stream. At high tide the river Backed rip with flood water, and covered the camp with five or six ueet of water. The whole camp was washed away and a motor lorry was carried into the tributory, landing up-side down in the stream. A small Standard car was caught in a slip and totally submerged. Two portable huts and the framework of a large men’s quarters were washed away. All their personal effects. office furniture, blankets, 7000 feet of boxing timber and some cement was taken by the flood. The damage has been estimated at about £2OO. The water at this point rose 16 feet in two hours. Mr Peacocke, Junr., had a narrow escape from drowning while trying • to* rescue some of the gear. A wall oip water about two feet high suddenly came down and had not a man standing nearby (who was holding on to a manuka, tree) managed to grasp him, Mr Peacocke would have been carried a wav.