RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1935, Page 4

RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD

heavy rain continues BRIDGE AT WAITARA MENACED. CENTRAL TARANAKI SUFFERS. ISOLATION OF PUNIWHAKAU. Further flooding as a result of heavy rain all over the northern and central parts of Taranaki occurred yesterday. The Waitara River burst its banks and flooded Karaka Flat, Driftwood menaced the recently repaired bridge over the river near the town, but only minor damage was done. In the Stratford district the heaviest rainfall since February left a train of damage to roads in its wake.

Districts east of Stratford, chiefly that bounded by Douglas, Makahu, Puniwhakau and Tututawa, suffered most and Puniwhakau was isolated yesterday. Big slips came down on Ohura Road at the Horseshoe bend a mile east of Douglas and at the junction of Waitiri and lower Mangaehu Roads between Tututawa and Puniwhakau. A section of Ohura Road ) on the Strathmore saddle dropped away leaving room for only one car to pass and a similar washout occurred on Douglas saddle between Douglas and Huiroa.

Low-lying areas were under water throughout the'eastern districts. Strathmore and Makahu were worst affected. Between Makahu and Puniwhakau there was five feet of water across the road. Minor slips occurred on other roads. The big slip at Horseshoe bend was cleared for traffic within a few hours but 15 men were working on the slip at the Waitiri Road junction yesterday afternoon. It is hoped to have it clear to-day. Vehicles had narrow escapes in two cases. The mail and Daily News delivery van, driven by Mr. P. T. Aitken, Stratford, had just passed on to the lower end of Horseshoe bend when what was estimated at 100 tons of earth slipped from the hillside above the upper part of the road and swept across it into a gully, leaving enough spoil on the road to block it, though a track had been cleared when Mr. Aitken returned in the afternoon. In the other case a cream lorry driven by Mr. F. Reader, Douglas, had just passed the junction of Mangaehu and Waitiri Roads when a huge quantity of spoil slipped from 400 feet above Mangaehu Road, swept through heavy bush and crashed across Mangaehu Road into the river, completely blocking the road. Mr. Reader was cut off because he could not get out via Makahu owing to the five feet of water across the road between Puniwhakau and Makahu. A relief lorry was sent to the Tututawa side of the slip and cream was transferred across the slip to it. MUCH OF ROAD UNDER WATER. Mr. Aitken had an unenviable trip and in speaking to a News reporter yesterday he said he was greatly indebted to settlers for their ready assistance and kindness. He found Strathmore under water and had to drive through water on all low-lying parts of the road to Makahu. Conditions became worse as he drove from Makahu towards Puniwhakau. He had to disconnect the fan on the engine to stop it throwing water over the ignition and to wrap rag round the carburettor to stop water getting into the petrol. The bridge erected recently to replace Wood’s bridge carried away in a previous flood was not harmed as far as he could see but when he reached a spot where the water was five feet deep across the road he had no option but to turn back. He retraced his route to the junction y of Ohura Road and the Mangaotuku Road to Tututawa and Puniwhakau. The surface of Mangaotuku Road, which has recently been topdressed and improved materially, was badly scoured on hills and bends but he was able to drive on till he reached the big slip at Waitiri Road. He then telephoned to Puniwhakau post office and the postmistress sent down to the slip for the mail and papers. Thus the delivery was completed despite the blockages.

At Whangamomona 3.91 inches of rain fell in the 27 hours ending at midday yesterday—two inches would be considered exceptionally heavy. lii spite of the great amount of rain, however, the district did not suffer as severely as others. There were three small slips on Aotuhia Road about three miles from Whangamomona. That nearest the settlement is of a fair size, but the damage could be considered minor, as a car was able to go right through in the morning. It is, expected that the road vail be completely cleared in about two days. No other damage had been reported last night. ' About 15 chains past the Kiore tunnel on Matau Road there is a break in the road, the outer edge having slipped away. Cars could with care still get round the break yesterday, however, and to-day two or three men will be sent out to widen the road by cutting back the inside bank. On the Huiroa side of the Douglas saddle there is a break about 40feet long, about three feet of the road having slipped away at the centre. At this spot, however, the road is fairly wide and cars can still pass. It will be attended to as soon as possible, and the break will be fenced off. ANXIETY AT WAITARA. _ At Waitara the swollen river caused considerable anxiety yesterday morning when masses of driftwood piled against the piers of the bridge and Public Works Department employees worked hard to relieve the pressure. One log was so large that a block and tackle was needed to shift it, but the repair work was not affected as the bulk of timber was carried on the eastern side of the river. A buoy anchored in the channel was dragged 40 yards downstream by the force of the current. By yesterday afternoon, however, the river had returned to within, its banks and no further trouble was expected. All coastal rivers were carrying a heavy volume of water yesterday but flooding was never really serious, although at one stage the Oxford dairy factory at Sanders Road seemed in danger when the Mangatete and Kaihihi streams rose rapidly. The rivers, however, subsided as quickly as they had risen. The Henui and Mangaotuku streams carried a heavy flood and much driftwood but did not break their banks anywhere. The Waiwakqjho is in flood also. Unofficial record of the rainfall that has fallen at New Plymouth since Saturday night shows roughly two and a-half inches, but falls in country districts, particularly in the far north and in Central Taranaki must have been considerably heavier. Some difficulty was experienced by northbound traffic yesterday near Urenui and Li the Uriti districts but with care all roads were negotiable.