THE FLOOD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14664, 23 July 1915, Page 7

THE FLOOD.

RIVER STILL RUNNING HIGH. SEVERAL SLIPS REPORTED. MAIN TRUNK LINE BLOCKED. RAILWAY LINE AT WANGAEHU : CLEAR. Although rain ceased here early yesterday afternoon, the river continued to rise until at high tide at 5.30 o’clock it was within three feet of the height reached by the record flood of 1904. Three hours later a further rise of seven inches was reported. The low-lying portions of Wanganui East, along tho River Bank Road from No. 3 Line to near Nixon Street, are under water. In some parts only tho tips of the fenc-. mil posts are visible. The water has flooded the reserve from Dublin Street bridge to the Aramoho bridge, and it lias covered portions of the road near Mr C. E. Mackjy’s residence. As the river increased its height, it flooded the Aramoho Boat Club’s shed until there were two or three feet of water above the flooring. The water reached within a foot of Messrs Hatriek and Co.’s wharf and flooded a residence on the _ River Bank in that locality. This morning tho water was still over a portion of the road there, and tho occupants of tho house were busy trying to remove the hares of last night’s inundation. The backing up of the water in tho sewers caused on overflow in two places in Taupo Quay, and a number of firms hurriedly shifted goods stored in the cellars. The water flooded the cellar of the Metropolitan Hotel, doing damage estimated at £2OO.

Large quantities of drift wood continued to come down yesterday afternoon and this morning. Some of it collected around one of the piers of the Dublin Street bridge and men were engaged this i morning in trying to clear the pier. A : number of carcases of sheep, horses, and cattle were also seen coming down. | All yesterday afternoon and evening and again this 'morning there were large numbers of people at the town and Dublin Street bridges and along the bank watching the flood waters, while there were many others industriously engaged in rescuing logs and timber for firewood.

PUNTS WASHED AWAY. Yesterday afternoon, as the river continued to rise, owners of motor launches and other river craft began to express some anxiety for the safety of their boats. A launch moored near the town bridge was pulled over by its moorings and sank. Another launch, a small one, was washed out: to sea. An oil store near the '.town bridge, which, was placed on a pontoon, was washed awgy and the pontoon piled up against thei end of the town Wharf. A few tins of benzine were rescued but most of it went down the river. Messrs Ross’ launch landing was also swept away. The Upokongaro ferry boat got adrift this morning, but was taken in tow and secured about half way between the Aramoho and Dublin Street bridges.

One of the Harbour Board’s punts, which had been moored at Kaiwhaike, broke adrift, carrying its moorings with it. It crashed into the railway bridge at Aramoho. Near there, Mr E. Bindley made a plucky attempt.to secure fine punt by dropping its anchor. He put off in a rowing boat, but after considerable effort had to abandon the attempt. The punt was swept out to sea and this morning the tug Togo went out to try and secure it. The punt was seen about five or six miles out early this morning, but up to one o'clock the Togo had not secured it.

Mr C. J. Wray’s pontoon near Sandy Hook was also washed away.

Tne Arapawa and Stormbird were to sail last night, but their departure was postponed on account of the quantity of timber coming down. Three vessels, the John, the Huia, and the Kapiti were waiting outside the bar for the current to decrease. An attempt will be made this afternoon to bring them across. Loading operations on the Delphic were abandoned for to-day, the lighters not being able to come in against the current. As is usual after a heavv rain, the low-lying country between Eastown and Matarawa is under water. In some places stock has been shifted to higher levels. This side of Makirikiri the river bank mad is under water in some places. The river is over the road at Mason’s cliff. A-wash-out has occurred near Jardines, but the water is rapidly receding. Water is still over the Kakuta bridge. Portion of one of the wings appear to be sinking. At some of the culverts the approaches are beginning to sink.

The road between Kakatihi and Aberfeldie is blocked with slips. The Mangawhero district is reported clear, and no news of any damage has been received from Mangamahu, with the exception of a slip on Sutherland’s hill. The Purua riding is stated to be clear. A couple of small falls of earth have taken place "on the Putiki Eoad opposite the gas wharf. In the Waitotara County slips have been reported from the Ahu Ahu Eoad, but no reports have been received from other districts.

The railway line near Wangaehu was flooded to about four feet last night. The early hnorniug train from Wanganui to Palmerston did not run, but a train which left hejje about quarter past ten got through'! The early morning Palraer-ston-Wanganui train proceeded only as far as Marton, the first train to get through' from that point being the train which usually arrives here at 1.15 p.m. This morning the water on the line was rapidly subsiding and no further stoppage was anticipated.

The Waitotfra and Patea Rivers- are running; higher than has been known for some considerable time. - A Taumavunui the ; Wanganui and Organic Rivers w#ro in high flood yesterdav, the lower parts of the towii being' underwater. ‘'l*- 1 SLIPS ON RAILWAY LI> T E. Several slips have fallen on the Main Trunk Line. Yesterday morning the South bound express Was held up by a

slip about four miles from Taihapc. The line was cleared about five o'clock in the evening, and the train reached Marton about seven o’clock. Tue line is blocked between Tauinarunui and Frankton, several slips coming down. The south morning express is not expected to reach Marton until seven o’clock. Some doubt is experienced of passengers by the north express reaching Auckland, Taumaruuui being the most northerly place expected to be reached to-night by passengers on that train. No trains were run on the Toko Branch yesterday, nor was it anticipated 1 that'any would be run to-day, there being several big slips down". This afternoon the river was apparently beginning to go down and unless rain continues to fall up country it is thought the maximum has been reached.

BIG FLOODS AT TE KlilTl. PORTIONS OF TOWN INUNDATED. TE KUITI. July 23. Heavy rain caused the Mangaokewa River to rise to flood level, and portions of the town are inundated, while tho racecourse is several feet under water. The railway between Te Ivuiti. nod Otorohanga is submerged, and traffic is held up. There was a slip on the line, at the same place last week, causing great trouble. The vain has now ceased, and if there is no further fall the line should be clear to-morrow.