SEVEN INCHES OF RAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1933, Page 12

SEVEN INCHES OF RAIN

THE ISOLATED CHATEAU

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, March 22.

Except for telephone communication, the OhateaU Tongariro " has now been isolated from the. outside world for 30 hours, since the bridge over the Whakapapanui River was washed away, yesterday afternoon.

A gang of men from the Public Works and Prison Departments, and members of the Chateau staff, have been endeavouring to erect a new low-level bridge to take its place. In the meantime no one can reach the Chateau or leave it. The guests who find themsVlves stranded include a party of Australian visitors, whose tour of the Dominion, has thus been unexpectedly thrown out of gear. "We are fortunate in having ample stores of food in hand," said.the manager of tho Chateau (Mr. E. Cobbe) this evening.. "As it would be unwise, however, 'to wait for the completion of a neiv bridge, we have .succeeded in running a wire rope over the stream, so that fresh, foodstuffs can be brought ml."

.Some idea of the extraordinary nature of the downpour which wrought the damage may be gauged from the fact that no less than 7in of rain fell last night. Eocks which had stood in the Whakapapanui River'for hundreds of years were swept downstream, the roar made by their, progress in the rocky creek Tjed keeping people awake all night.

The stream has changed its course in several places, and,at certain points is chains away from its original course. The road at Taumarunui is completely blocked by washouts and slips. Gangs of men from Taumarunui are working on the obstructions, but it may bo days before the road is clear.

Motorists report that the road to Tokaanu is only slightly damaged and that traffic can negotiate obstructions with some difficulty.

The warm rain has now melted all the ice of .the Whakapapa Glacier, which now presents a most unusual sight.