BIG FLOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1929, Page 5

BIG FLOODS

TRAINS RUN THROUGH WATER

{By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

Napier, May ig

With a cessation.of rain to-day, and a rapid falling of the three rivers, the flood lost much of its menacing nature, though there was still thousands of acres under water.

There was no loss of human life, and very few stock fatalities are reported. An odd carcase' wfts washed up on the beach, Nevertheless there is still a danger of marooned stock suffering from starvation.

After a- repair gang had made the line safe, the railway service was resumed, tlie trains between Napier and Hastings .passing through the hooded area with water up to the steps of the carriages For miles mound the waters spread in a desolate waste. An examination by a. Rivers Board official has revealed thirteen breaks in the banks of the three rivers, and the cost of river repair will be heavy. The great mass of surplus water seems to have found adequate outlets, and unless another heavy fall occurs in the back country, the worst is considered past, SERIOUS STOCK LOSSES. IN' HAWKE’S BAY. NAPIER, May 16. It has been ascertained that the stock losses, which earlier had been thought to be negligible, will run. into several thousand sheep and many cattle that have been drowned in the flood waters. The Pakowha district has suffered heavily. One owner is kpown to have lost one hundred and fifty lambs, while the fate of 2600 sheep left is not known. Another owner lias lost four hundred sheep by drowning, a third three hundred, and a lourth four hundred. Rescue efforts were continued throughout the day. Late to-night the rain has recommenced, but it is not heavy. FOODS EXTEND TO SOUTH WAIRARAPA. . • MASTER TON,. May 16. As expected'.' the South’ Wairarapa district around Lake Wairarapa, in the vicinity of Rupnahanga River are. now flooded. j : | . ' /It is reported that three chains of aii uncompleted stop bank at Ivahutan hurst at three o’clock this afternoon. and that .much low-lving country has been flooded. The settlers, however, had previous warning, and their stock , had been removed. The Bush Gully Bridge, of three hundred feet, has been washed away on the East Const hgini Mnrtinhorougb and many other washouts and slips are reported in that district. Conditions at Tinui are now normal. The settlers of Lower Wairarapa, who have been making representations to the Government for the relief of flooding, state it is very evident that something must he clone, as a flood of large, proportions would he disastrous. FLOODS DECREASING. STOCK LOSSES NOT SEVERE. NAPIER, May 17. The flood position is decidedly more reassuring. All. night long the weather has been slowly improving, and to-day patches of blue sky and occasional glimpses of the sun have brought more confidence. The water is slowly draining off the land and the rivers tardily, but surely, falling. Stock losses are not obtainable but should not be severe. A few horses and cattle have been washed away. Only one carcase has been deposited by the sea on the town beach, which suggests purely minor losses. The number of sheep reported drowned overnight is not confirmed. The main road south is now open, to traffic but some country by-roads are still covered up to three feet in places. Wairoa road is still closed, hut Taupo is passable with caution. CONDITIONS AT WAIROA. WAIROA, May 17. Although Hawke’s Bay and the East, Coast suffered badly from flocxls the Wairoa district escaped lightly, comparatively little damage 'being reported. Only four inches of rain fell from Sunday last till this morning. There was much rain in the back country, but the rivers although fairly high were confined to their banks, very little anxiety is felt. Hie weather is now clearing up. A RIVER’S COURSE. NAPIER, May 17. It transpires that the reported new course of the Tutaekuri river docs not extend more than a few hundred yards, the force of the current being dissipated over the country before it reached the Pnpakura road. FLOOD DAMAGE. PALMERSTON N., A fay 17. Flood waters around Trakitnhuna and Hangiotu are subsiding. The train service on the Foxton line is restored and the road is now open for motor traffic but still covered in parts. 'Pile flood did damage to the river protection works at To Matai, two groynes being washed away.