SERIOUS FLOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 5

SERIOUS FLOODS

IN HAWKE'S HAY A WIDE AREA INUNDATED. ( By Telegraph—Per Press Association) NAPIER,, April 30. Country reports indicate that floods have become general in Hawke’s Bay and the position is serious. Tango*) is under three feet of water. All the roads to the north are o/m----.pletely blocked. The Railway Department reports there is danger of the railway 'bridge at Waipawa being washed awajl’ A " Pakowhai and the Hastings side of the Ngeruroro River are well covered with water, but that river is reported to be falling. The Tutaekuri River broke at Brooicfields, and hundreds of acres are under three, feet of water. Napier is not likely to be affected. HOUSES ISOLATED. RIVER, PROTECTION NEEDED. HASTINGS, May 1. Flood conditions have prevailed in the district between Napier and Hastings, and to the westwa-rdtMove.r we week-end. The position was eorious late yesterday, but the easing off of the rain and moderating of the river mouth prevented greatjpdainage than that already done,;;^—’ A break in the' banks of the Tutaekuri River resulted in a large area of Lower Papakura being flooded to tfie height of two or three feet.

The Ngaruaroro River broke through at Raiipare, flooding Poplar Avenue and Pakowhai, small settlements west of Hastings. The River ha® to-day gone down considerably, hud the flood waters are receding. **• No stock losses are reported.

About a dozen houses at Lower Papakura are isolated, and in some instances are short of food. ments for the supply of food have since been made.

Yesterday only the highest buses were able to travel between Napier and Hastings, but today cars were able to use ;tbe main road, though the water was ; . still up to the running boards at Waitangi dip.; V' : The Napier-Wairoa Road was blocked yesterday but an alternative route is now onen. •

.The road to Taupo is still impassable, owing to large slips. Haumoana, a beach ' resort, suffered severely, numerous houses being isolated yesterday. The need for Tiver protection work seems more acute in this part since the earthquake.- - - -

DROWNED WHEN BOAT SANK.

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 1.

W. H. Rook, garage proprietor, of Patea, was drowned in a lake at Manutahi, north of Patea, this evening. Rook, with a party, had been setting decoys in the lake, preparatory to the shooting season. Three were attempting to cross the lake in a flatbottomed boat. A heavy wind caused! large waves on the lake, and the boat was swamped. The three were hampered by heavy clothing.

Rook sank. The other two, Gordon Scown and a boy, clung to the boat, but Rook sank in the darkness. The body has not been found.