NORTH AUCKLAND FLOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1917, Page 4

NORTH AUCKLAND FLOODS

Several Persons Drowned;

{Fee Pbess Association.— Copvbioht.]

AtFCIsJIiAND, Feb. 5. Reports show floods in the Thames Valley and north of Auckland. A settler named Alfred Attwood, 25 years of age, was drowned near liawakawa while fording a flooded river. Two gumdiggers, Patrick Power and Alfred Jacobsen were carried away in their whare by the Waidoa river and drowned.

Land slips are reported in the north of Auckland.

The railway line cutting at the mouth of the tunnel at Aharoroa fell in, ana at Mellaford both sides of the cutting collapsed. The railway line in one place is ten fee<fc under water.

Bridges and roads are reported damaged. In the Thames Valley the line in dated for a considerable distance. ■A wash-out occurred on the main trunk line this morning near Drury, but the north-bound train was able to get through after a slight delay. Floods at DargavilleTwo Maoris DrownedDargaville, Feb 5 There was a torrential downpour at Northern Wairoa on Friday night and Saturday, and the rivet is in heavy flood. Kaihu Creek drainage area is under water and the traffic bridge haa been oarried away. Two young Maoris were drowned, A large qaantity of Btock was destroyed on the Wairoa settlement which is under water. At Eirikopuni, a store was flooded to the roof and a valuable stock wa's destroyed. A large amount of live stock has been drowned, Farmers suffer severely. Heavy rain again fell this morning but Dargaville is unaffeoted. Fresbea are expected down to-morrow. Damage at Whangarei Four Fatalities Whanoarei, Feb 5 Floods of unprecedented severity have occurred in the north. A week’s rain culminated on Saturday in a phenomenal downpour. Streets,houses and low-lying parts of Whangarei were flooded, causing considerable damage to property. The water was 3ft deep in the dairy factory.

Grave damage was done to the Great Wairu Falls eleotrio station, Tbe water rose eleven feet in the power-houee and portion of the canal has broken away, the power and light being cut off from Whangarei. It will possibly be six weeks before it is restored. Railway traffio has been interrupted. There were four fatalities—Patrick Power, Salter Jaoobion, Alfred Atwood and Mrs Jane Christie. The latter lived at Towai and was returning from a visit when she was swept away. The flood is rapidly subsiding.