FLOODS IN THE NORTH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16892, 6 February 1917, Page 6

FLOODS IN THE NORTH.

MUCH DAMAGE REPORTED

DABGAVILLE/ February 5. There was a torrential downpour in ucrtkern Wairoa on Friday niglit and on Saturday the river was in heavy flood. Eailra creek drainage area is under water. A traffic bridge was carried away, and Iwo young' Maoris drowned.

A large qiiantit.y of stock has been destroyed on the' Wairoa settlements which are under water:

At. Kirikopuni a store was flooded to the roof, and valuable stock destroyed. A large amount of live stock has been di owned, and the farmers will suffer. &e\ erelv. ■.-■-.

Heavy rain again fall this morning. Dargavill? 's not "affected. "The freshes are expected to be down to-morrow. WHANGAREL February 5. Floods of ■unprecedented severity have occurred in the nqvth. The week's rain culminated on Saturday with a phenomenal downpour. The streets and houses in the low-lying parts of Wharigarei were flooded, and considerable damage was done to property. The water was three feet deep in the dairy factory. Grave damage was done at the Great Wairua Falls electric station. The water rose to 11 feet in the.power house, and a portion of the canal was broken away and the .power and light cut off from Whangarei. It will possibly be six weeks before it will be restored. Railway traffic is interrupted:

Four fatalities are reported, the victims being Patrick Power, Walter Jacobson, Alfred Atwood, and .Mrs Jane Christie, The latter, lived at Towai, and was returning from a visit when she was swept away.

The flood is rapidly subsiding.