THE OTAKI FLOODS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17436, 7 April 1931, Page 6

THE OTAKI FLOODS

SERIOUS POSSIBILITIES A serious position has arisen as the result of last week's flood in the Otaki River. The river has taken a new course and threatens the racecourse, tFhe hew course is a quarter of a mil© in width, and extends for*a mile and a half, the river being held back only, by the railway embankment, which has beea badly scoured. It is feared that i with another flood it may break through the embankment and flow through the racecourse and Rahanui, and thence through the town.

Hundreds of acres of valuable farht land and many market gardens HH been ruined. The road between tlje bridge and the station was rendered impassable, being 3ft. to 4ft. under- water* and the water level with the railway platform. The river is holding its new course.

livery house on the Mill road wis inundated, the water reaching the .ground floor of the Matai private hospital, in which patients were removed to thai upper Moors. A party of 80 girls of thd Presbyterian Bible class was encamped on the racecourse, and had to mak|j& hurried exit and return to Wellington. Hundreds of motor cars were marooiii fed', on the road and had to be towed out by horses. The loss of stock Wii not serious, but cows could not be milked all day, and work in the dairy factory at Rahanui had to be suspended.