DELUGE AT MATATA

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 8

DELUGE AT MATATA

WIDESPREAD FLOODING MOTOR TRAFFIC BLOCKED Special to Times.) WHAKATAXE, Wednesday Hours of torrential rain severely flooded the township of Matata on the Bay of Plenty coast yesterday. Boulders, trees and debris were swept down the hillsides, struUl streams were swollen beyond recognition, streets were inundated, road and rail traffic was seriously dislocated and at least two houses were threatened by flood waters. The township lost its water supply when 1 lie dam which was situated in ,i gully in the hill-s burst under the weight of the enormous volume of .flood water. Numerous slips on the main Taneatua Road blocked motor traffic between Te Puke and Matata and a fairly serious slip and a subsidence on Uie railway line held up the railway service this afternoon following the torrential ruin. It was officially stated that a fairly extensive wash-out occurred on the line between Matata and Pikowa:. while « fall of earth blocked the ;m ::han nt way between Matata and Awak.ijii'iiga. There are other seed - and silt c >v sr the !:ui■. but it is considered that it will l.ii■ possible to resume tlie services toTll *: express from Taneatua to Auckland hud passed this suction of the route before the cloudburst was • xperienced. but the train from Auckland this afternoon was able to proceed no further than Pikowai.