FLOODS IN NORTH ISLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1924, Page 3

FLOODS IN NORTH ISLAND

LATEST PARTICULARS. [by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION’.] AUCKLAND, April 7. The damage by flood to the main highways and bridges north of Auckland is estimated by the county engineer at fifty thousand pounds. The Hon Mr Coates lias put the damage on the AVhaiigarei-Hnuniu section of the North Auckland railway at -six thousand.

The damage is the most extensive in the Otamata, Hobson and Wliangaroi counties. Further north the floods are less serious and the damage in the Aloiigoiiui, Whang,area and Hokianga Counties is not extensive. The Public Works Department will lie liable for n pound for pound subsidy in respect to all flood damage. The fringe of the floods and sweep of the ■damage begins at about five miles beyond ffolensville. Travel by road is bazardiums. BeIween Kaikapakapa and Topumii about forty miles of railway track is affected and some parts are badly damaged. Taliekeroa tunnel is blocked at both ends by fairly heavy landslides. A gang of eighty railway men and navies did excellent' work in repairing the damage to the railway line in the vicinity of Kaukapakapa. There is little prospect of a resumption of a through train service till Thursday. The line beyond Taliekeroa tunnel is under water at Kaipara flats and is more or less damaged at WayLy, Gt) miles north of Auckland, and badly damaged at Tehana, 75 miles and at Tepimi, 7!> miles north of Auckland.

DA At AG E TO STRATFORD ROADS'

STRATFORD, April 7

The recent heavy rains caused great damage to the roads in the Stratford District. In the back country, eastward, between Pohokura and AVliangawona, a. mile of standing bush ioli across the line and the train was prevented proceeding beyond I’oliokiira. The passengers stayed in Hie train all Saturday night. Slips on tho roads are serious. Telephone and telegraph poles arc down aiul it is doubtful if the road communication can be restored within a week. Railway and telegraph men are busy clearing the slips. TOURING COY’S EXPERIENCES. AUCKLAND, April 7. Air Blanchard, his wife and two other instrumentalists, comprising a touring company, arrived from Kotikapakapa via. Heionsville this morning in a onctou motor truck, having completed a perilous journey through the flooded area. After giving a performance at Kaukapakapa- they left their baggage and instruments there aiul next morning. Thursday,, they found the streets like canals. The ball was Hooded, and the flooring bad sprung from the piles. Properties were considerably damaged, fn Dyes’ stores, the water reached the top of the counter. Bullocks were swimming wild with fear in Hooded paddocks. The motor encountered difficulties where bridges were swept away but got round with the belli cl a bullock team, traversing the highest ground.

Air Blanchard says no one can realise the sorry plight of the settlers. Thousands of pounds of damage has been done. The people are in terrih.e straits ill the isolated plates.