SERIOUS STOCK LOSS EXPECTED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 192, 10 May 1940, Page 10

SERIOUS STOCK LOSS EXPECTED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 9. There is little change in the Taieri floods today, though two breaks in protective embankments caused extension of the flooded area and a slight fall in the level of the river. Farms and homes continue to be evacuated and reports of stock mortality indicate that losses will be serious. The latest reports tonight from the higher reaches of the Taieri River suggest that the peak has not yet been reached. Henley township is completely marooned, a rapid rise late last night causing almost complete evacuation of residents.

All communication south of Dunedin by road or rail is still stopped and all routes to Central Otago are impassable. There is a light drizzle in the city tonight, but conditions are improving. An earlier .message stated: — Train services to the south are still suspended, and it is said that when the water subsides heavy scouriiig will further delay resumption.' There are heavy losses of stock in both the Taieri and Middlemarch areas. The river in the' latter district is at the highest level in half a century. Waitahuna reports that the stream is back to normal, with under two feet of water on the road.

Mails for Invercargill have left by a lorry, which will travel via Taieri Mouth. Mails from Outram were conveyed yesterday across the flooded plains in a boat. At Waipori loin, of rain fell in four days, as against only sin. in the city.