HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2521, 23 July 1915, Page 6

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS

RISE IN WANGANUI R-IVER. Br Telorraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, July 22, Heavy continuous rain over the whole district for tho past- forty-eight houre brought down tho biggest flood since the record in 1904. The water is still rising. Wanganui East Esplanade is covered with a continuous stream of driftwood coming down. Tho flood should reach its maximum about 6 o'clock to-night. Tho rain lias stopped now, and 110 serious damage lias yet been reported. . THROUGH EXPRESSES DELAYED, Landslides on tlio Main Trunk lint caused considerable inconvenience to tho running of yesterday's through expresses between Wellington and Auckland, and vice versa. Tho south-bound, express which left Auckland on Wednesday night, and was due in Wellington at 2.40 o'clock yesterday afternoon, did not arrive until 11.25 p.m.—eight hours and threequarters late. The cause of the delay, was a slip oil tho line between Mataroa, and Taihapo.

Tho north-bound Main Trunk express was also badly delayed, the engine striking a boulder some 300 yards south of Piriaka. The engine was damaged, as also was tho permanent way. The passengers had to alight and . board another train.

There is also a heavy slip on the Stratford branch line in the vicinity of Whangamomona, and it will be 6ome hours before it is cleared away. Tho south-bound express, which usually leaves Auckland at noon, was cancelled yesterday on account of the' slip between Te Kuiti and Marton. Passengers for the north by last night's express were advised before departure that in all probability • they, ■ would get no further than. Taihape, unless the line was clear, which was not likely. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Auckland, July 22. A landslip on the railway at Taringatnutu delayed the north-bound express until the debris was cleared. The express arrived in Auckland SO minutes late. .

Talhape, July 22. A. slip occurred this morning on thd Main Trunk line just north of Bennett's Siding, blocking the passage of the 'Auckland-Wellington express, which was due at Taihape at 8.30. A train load of men has gone to remove the obstruction, but it is not yet known when the line will be clear for traffic.