A WATERY WASTE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18419, 27 June 1925, Page 16

A WATERY WASTE.

RANGITAIKI PLAINS. SETTLERS REMOVED IN BOATS. (SPECIAL TO "THB THESS.") AUCKLAND, June 26. A grave position on the Eangitaiki Plains as a' result of the floods is recorded by the "Herald's" Whakatane correspondent, who telegraphs to-night as follows: — The floodß in the district are the greatest ever experienced here. Last evening the Eangitaiki river overflowed its banks and inundated a vast stretch of country, and farms which had never before been flooded are now under water. This morning the Rangitaiki Plains were a watery wasto of vast extent, the expanse of water being only relieved by houses, clumps of trees, and stock huddled together on the higher land. During the night the waters of the Eangitaiki river rose with amazing rapidity, and settlers had a most anxious time. The flood waters entered many of the houses, and the lot of the inmates was comfortless in the extreme throughout the night. It is believed the loss of stock will prove very hoa\-y. Already it is known that a Jargo number of settlers have lost sheep iind pigs. One settlor lost •200 sh-.'ep. Ho was out before daylight this morning bringing in his stock "on to the only dry acre on his •iOO-acre section. He was assisted by Maoris in canons and boats. Other settlers report stock losses, and hundreds of pigs have been drowned. J

To-day,the Eangitaiki river was still rising, and settlers and their families had to be removed from their homes in canoes and boats to the homes of those settlers who lived on higher ground. All communication with Whakatane ha 3 been cut off. No mails arrived or left to-day. At Taneatua two men in a milkcart were swept off the road, and had a narrow escape, being rescued with great difficulty by means of ropes.

OPOTIKI INUNDATED. (PHESS ASSOCIATIOS TELEGRAM.) OPOTIKI, June 25. Tho Waioelca river overflowed its banks early yesterday morning. As a result the town was Inundated. Shopkeepers were warned in good time, with the result that littlo damage resulted. The greatest depth of water in the shops is only three inches. The -water remained at. the same height for eight hours and commenced to fall at seven o'clock. By 9 p.m. the streets were clear. The heavy rains caused slips and washouts on the country roads. ; FISHERMEN IN PERIL. (PBISS ASSOCUTZOS TZLSGBAM.) .' - : . ' _...',';.', THAMES, June 26. The wind .which/; yesterday morning was blowingihard froin the north-west,; changed suddenly at S : pan.,\-when a portion of the fishing, fleet was placed in, a precarious,.position in 'the JTirth ; of^'Thames;.sThey'were on a lee shore,' and had'to* battle''all the afternoon against the gale, which, in spite of the beat's fnliv .engine>power) blew them' fiy ; e miles'but; They lost a lot of gear, n>ts, and .anchors, ..During .the height of-thdrgale 'a* launch anchored on tho coast was driven ashore and smashed to matchwood. "

ARTERIAL ROADS BLOCKED. (P2KBS ASSOCIATION TILZOBAII.J • _ /; WELLINGTON, June 2(3. Heavy rains yesterday brought down several slips on the road leading over Paekakariki hill. One large Ml at the summit completely blocked the main road, and a clearance is not likely under a week for heavy traffic, though light vehicles may manage to get past sooner. In- the meantime vehicles can get through via the old road. The other Wain outlet to the west coast from the Kutt Valley over the Akatarawa saddle is also blocked. This may be cleared by. tomorrow night.