WAIRARAPA FLOODS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17871, 30 August 1932, Page 8

WAIRARAPA FLOODS

HEAVY DAMAGE DONE SEVERE STO.CK LOSSES WATERS NOW RECEDING (Per Press Association.) MASTEKTON, last night, Extensive areas of country in tho Wairarapa district arc flooded as a result of the heavy rain and snow of the past two days. Although rain fell generally, the snow was restricted to a comparatively limited area, extending from Waingawa to Ivaiparoro and a few miles eastward of Masterton. The total rainfall of the past 48 hours in Masterton is about Bm., but much snow on the Tararu-as was melted by the warm weather of Saturday, and this swelled tho rivers, although far heavier rain must have fallen in the ranges. About Sin. of snow fell in Masterton and the vicinity, where much damage was done to the telephone, telegraph and electric power lines, which, broke under the .strain. Repairs will take several days. The Masterton telephones lines are suffering severely, 300 automatics being affected, and many manual lines. Telegraphic communication north is interrupted at Kopuarauga, but one circuit was repaired this afternoon. The rivers are now falling, but there is serious flooding around Wairarapa Lake at Kakutara, Tawlii and Pihuatca. At the last-named placo it is reported that people were removed from houses by boats, and heavy stock losses are feared. A wash-out on tlio railway at Porridge necessitates the transhipment of passengers. It is not expected that the lino will be restored until Wednesday at the earliest.

About !) o’clock to-day, the stopbank along the Ruamahanga. River atKabulara burst, and flooded a vast area of country. It is estimated that 800 sheep on the property of the. Elgar Estate were lost.

Tho waters are now reported to be receding, and further stock losses are not anticipated. •«. MANAWATU OVERFLOWS (Pur Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., last night. Flood waters from the Manawatu covor hundreds of acres in the vicinity of Tiakitalnma, and now completely block the Palmerston North-Foxton highway. The Whirokino highway between Foxton and Levin is clear at present, but it is expected that it will be covered by water in tho morning.