DANGER TO STOCK.

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

DANGER TO STOCK.

WANT OF FEED

A SETTLER PENNED IN.

NO LOSSES YET.

[By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

HASTINGS, Thursday.

Although there is an immense area of land under water in the low-lying parts of the district around Hastings there has as yet been no loss of stock reported. Settlers on farms subject to flooding had warning in plenty of time to remove the animals to higher ground. There is grave danger, however, of marooned stock suffering severe!} foi want of feed, and the position will he very serious if the floods continue much longer. , . Already land-owners whose land is free from flood are offering to graze the stock of their less fortunate neighbours. , , . _ „ One settler at Pakowhal, Mr A. R. F. Allen, is completely penned in by the flood and has only three or four acres above water on which to crowd his hungry stock. The highest rainfall for 10 years was reported at Maraetotara, near Walnarama, no less than 20.31 inches having fallen since Monday. Railway communication was resumed with Napier this morning. The Wellington mail train left here 3o minutes late. , , Rain continued at intervals during the night, but the river was somewhat down this morning.

LESS RAIN FALLING A SEA OF WATER. EXPRESS GETS THROUGH. (By Telegrapn.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Thursday. Travelling at a reduced speed an express train succeeded in getting through the flood menace this morning on the journey south. The damage to the railway is not as extensive as was at first believed, and caution is now the only necessity of the train crew. The main roads south arc still blocked, but conditions are no worse than yesterday. Rain is still falling, but only 1-J inches were recorded for the last 24 hours.

A detour of many miles is necessary to reach Hastings from Napier. The danger is not yet over, as a large quantity of water has still to come down the rivers.

The flood waters are within two feet of the historical inundation of 1897. Stock losses are quite immaterial on the plains owing to the promptness with which warnings were issued to farmers.

The water extends from the ridge of land on the sea front to five or six miles back, and some settlers are liv* ing under threat of disaster.

GISBORNE TO NAPIER. ROAD COMMUNICATION BLOCKED. MANY CARS HELD UP. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Thursday. Through traffic between Gisborne and Napier has been blocked for the past two days. Fifty passengers by service cars are marooned at Waikari, 40 miles from Napier, The small hotel's accommodation is severely taxed, ■ Sixteen cars are held up between Tangolo Stream and Waikari by slips. The road between Wairoa and Waikari is reported clear. No malls have been received since Tuesday. NAPIER, Thursday. The Main North Road to Gisborne is completely blocked and cannot be opened under three days. Many gangs are at work, but numerous slips have to be removed.

IN POVERTY BAY DISTRICT. 7.S'INCHES OF RAIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association,) GISBORNE, Thursday. In the Awatere Valley, near To Araroa, 7.5 inches of rain were registered yesterday. HIGHWAYB BLOCKED. STOCK REMOVED TO SAFETY. (By Telegraph.—Press FOXTON, Thursday. The Foxton-Shannon and FoxtonPalmerston highways are blocked by flood waters. All slock has been removed from the threatened area. „ The train was unable to leave Foxton this morning owing to a wash-oui in the vicinity of Rangitane. CYCLONE MOVING AWAY. BETTER WEATHER PROBABLE. By Te'ru-r.'inb—Pre«-.R Ac*nnlAM.*>n.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Dominion meteorologist says that now the cyclone responsible for tile had weather is moving away to the south-east there should be much improvement in the weather. There will bo- strong southerly winds today, with showery weather, hut there should be some relief in tlie areas which have suffered from floods. r / " HOUSE BLOWN DOWN. WHANGAREI, Wednesday. An eight-roomed house at Paihia, owned by Mr 11. S. Ladbrook, was blown down l>y the gale on Monday night. The roof started to lift on Sunday, and fortunately the occupants moved to other quarters, for on Monday night a wall collapsed and the roof was carried away by the hurri_caue. .