MAIN HIGHWAYS SUFFER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19623, 5 May 1938, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS SUFFER

UAWA COUNTY LOSS TAKAPAU VALLEY BRIDGE MANGATUNA EVACUATIONS The Takapau Valley experienced the worst effects of the storm in the Uawa County, according to reports from the Herald's representative in Tolaga Bay. The main bridge in the valley was damaged, and will need extensive repairs, while road and general property damage will reach a substantial value. A tremendous amount of erosion occurred at CraiU's flats, which were under water during the night. At Mangatuna, water from the Uawa River came into several houses, including 'that of Mr. Richmond Rangi, and a number of the native houses were evacuated for the night. The King family, which suffered serious loss during the February flood, was warned of the new danger during the afternoon, and left their home for the school-house at dusk, spending the night in the school. Mr. Morris' house also was left empty overnight, the family seeking refuge elsewhere.

The Uawa River was just out of its bed at Paeroa farm, occupied by Mr. D. G. S. MacDbnald, and Mr. Field's house was surrounded by water. The river came over the main highway at Mr. Peta Kumara's, and at other points threatened the pasture lands of Uawa settlers.

The Mangaheia homestead was isolated by surface-water, and the bridge at Mr. Arthur Donald's was under water, similar conditions prevailing at Iwinui station.

In some of the remoter valleys of the Uawa County, telephonic communication is suspended, and it is impossible to ascertain the conditions there. Tokomaru Bay Bridge Damaged Yesterday's rain in the Waiapu County caused disruption of road communication through the collapse of an abutment of the main highway bridge in Tokomaru Bay, the waters of the Mangahuini Stream having scoured out the approach for a width of 15ft., and carried away a portion of the abutment. The end of the bridge was reported to be swinging in mid-air, and to have sunk about 3ft. below its correct level.

The school site in Tokomaru Bay was surrounded by water again, the river running a banker for several hours. The level receded early last evening, but gained again later, as the result of renewed heavy rain. During the earlier part of the day, the rise was gauged at several feet in an hour, the fall being equally fast when a lull occurred in the storm. Ruatoria Cut Off From Ruatoria, a report received last night was to the effect that rain had been falling heavily all day, and that the township was cut off ,'rom communication in any direction. Telephone lines north of Ruatoria had been affected, and no news was available from Wai-o-matatini, Tikitiki, or Te Araroa. Earlier reports had stated, however, that farmers in the Maori settlement of Wai-o-matatini had commenced to evacuate their homes, in fear of serious flooding there, while near Ruatoria, Mr. J. Penfold's house was again surrounded. His stock had been removed in good time, but the family had to evacuate at short notice, owing to the rapid rise of the Waiapu River.

Road subsidences, sl.ips, and washouts were said to have occurred on the main highways of the district, and the secondary roads also suffered damage. At Factory Creek, traffic was held up by a depth of 7ft of water, t> e creek being higher than it had been at any previous flood period.