SEVERE FLOW

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 7

SEVERE FLOW

WIDESPREAD DAMAGE. ROADS BLOCKED. 9 TRAVELLERS MAROONED. SEVERAL NARROW ESCAPES. The floods In the Southern portion of the North Island are very extonslvo, and much damage liao resulted. Communications are blocked in several districts and motorists and other travellers are marooned. One or two narrow escapes are reported. It Is stated that the floods In the Walrarapa are tho worst experienced for 20 years.

IN THE MANAWATU DISTRICT. 10,000 ACRES INUNDATED. HOMES EVACUATED. Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, Thursday. Heavy rain in Hawke's Bay caused the Manawatu River to rise rapidly yesterday, and early this morning it reached a height above normal of approximately fourteen feet. The water overflowed the bank in the vicinity of Tiakitahuna, covering the main road to Foxton to a depth of from four to six feet in places, also an area of land of approximately 10,000 acres. - Practically the same land was flooded last spring with consequent damage to the pasture. Residents of Rangiotu were forced to evacuate their homes in anticipation of a further rise in the Orona River, a tributary of the Manawatu, which is In high flood, due to rain in the back country. The railway line to Foxton is under water to a depth of 18 inches, and services are suspended, but are hoped to be restored shortly. The river now has a tendency to subside, having fallen nearly one foot since early this morning, when it broke its banks.

No losses of stock are reported, settlers* having been forewarned by the River Board’s gauge, which yesterday showed a rise all day of from five feet to nearly fourteen l'eet. The Pohangina River is in heavy Hood. There is a washout on the Kornako bridge approaches, and lowlying lands are flooded.

IN THE WAIRARAPA. BRIDGE COLLAPSES., FLOOD WORST FOR 20 YEARS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Heavy rains throughout the Wairnrapa caused high floods in the rivers. The settlers at Kokotau, Dalefleld, and Matarawa are surrounded, but so far no losses of stock are reported. Difficulty is experienced by dairy farmers in getting milk to the faclorics, but the waters are now receding rnpkliy. • The worst damage so far reported is at Hinakura, where one of four Dawson bridges erected some 10 or 12 years ago over the Pahaoa River collapsed and lies In the river bed. In consequence traffic to Bush Gully and beyond Is completely cut off, Tho only means of egress is by horseback. The weather Is clearing and the rain Is much lighter. All rivers have fallen.

The flood in the Pahaoa River is the highest experienced for 20 years.

DISTRIOTS ISOLATED. CONCRETE BRIDGE SUBSIDES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, Thursday. News from the Waipawa district states that all the more important roads and bridges are closed to all trade. In one instance a concrete bridge has subsided. Mcanee is still threatened with danger and the Papakura and Pakowhia districts are still isolated. The Mayor is organising relief crews in case danger should become worse, but the indications are that the menace has reached its peak. The Taupo Road is blocked, at Titiokura. • Noon saw no noticeable change in the weather, but the barometer is rising. LITTLE GIRL’S NARROW ESCAPE. rescued from flooded stream. PLAYMATE’S PRESENCE OF MIND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Thursday. Carried along in the muddy waters of the flooded Mangapapa Creek, for a distance of 300 yards, a six-year-old girl named Towers, was rescued through the presence of mind of a small playmate in summoning help. Though the girl was unconscious when removed from the .water, the efforts at resuscitation were sucjessful. RAILWAY under water. SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT. B NAPIER, Thursday. Eskdale, 12 miles north, reports a rainfall of 02 Inches for three days. At one point between Napier and Hastings the railway track is two feet under water, one bridge has not been seen for two days, although trains arc pasulng over it. •rue weutiw appears Ukely to improve.