THE FLOODS AT OPOTIKI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 176, 15 April 1918, Page 4

THE FLOODS AT OPOTIKI

WORK OF RESTORATION HAMPERED. By Telegraph—Press Asßooiatlon. . Opotiki, April 13, Further details of the effects of the flood are now available. In the Otara Valley, at a point about fourteen miles from Opotiki, a portion of the road was swept away and the traffic was obstructed at other places by landslides. A party of the borough workmen proceeded towards the head of the waterworks, where the pipes cross the Otara River, and discovered that a portion of the main pipe line had been burst by the flood, leaving o gap in the water supplv svstem. Volunteers wevo called for this afternoon to proceed to the gap to-morrow in order to effect temporary repairs if possible. The lack of water in the town is obstructing the work of cleaning the residences and business premises. It is difficult to obtain sufficient water for domestic purposes. The absence of artificial light also is hampiring the efforts of restoration, while the labour shortage is acutely felt. largo quantities of damaged goods wo sold by auction this afternoon. 'Probably the heaviest sufferers in the country were Messrs. Black Brothci'6, the greater part of whose farm was swept away, together with cattle and a thousand sheep. Hundreds of cattle wero swept out to sea. It will probably take the town and district several years to recover from the effects of the flood. All land traffic between Opotiki and Whakatanc has been interrupted by serious landslides.