THE FLOODS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 13, 18 January 1907, Page 2

THE FLOODS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Railway Communication blocked

Largest Flood since 1875

During last week heavy showers fell at intervals, but on Saturday rain set in and continued almost without a stoppage until Tuesday afternoon. During Sunday the Mangokewa, which flows through the Te Kuiti township, was much swelled and rose considerably during the night and] towards Monday morning overflowed in several places. All the lowlying land in the valley was covered with water, which had no means of escape. On Monday evening everything pointed to the weather moderating, but later on it continued with renewed force and simply came down in torrents, and at times there appeared no signs of it ceasing, However, the winds changed on Tuesday afternoon, and no rain fell for the remainder of the day. Wednesday morning proved line and the river lowered several feet during the day. The flood has done much damage to the roads in the vicinity of Te Kuiti and in some places it will cost considerable sums fo repair. On Monday morning the first intimation that any interference was caused by the flood, was that traffic was practically stopped by road on the other side of the Mangokewa bridge, the water having overflowed near Mr Bond's residence, and further along the same road was covered, near the Government paddock. Several slips have occurred on the different roads, and we understand, that some of them are very large, and will require much shifting. Later on in the day word was received from up the line to the effect that the train would not be able to get to Te Kuiti, owing to there being a washout at the 157 mile peg, three miles this side of Ongarue. This train arrived at the scene of the washout at 8.30 a.m. with about thirty passengers from Taumarunui, but was unable to proceed further. The engine was uncoupled and proceeded to ascertain if it was safe to take the train across. The anxious passengers, however, soon had their curiosity satisfied, as the engine had not gone far before it was noticed to take a cant to one side, and came off the rails, along with the tender. The passengers had no means of getting back to Taumarunui as the Public Works' engine (the only other available at this end) was away at Raurimu. The express from Frankton arrived a little late on Monday evening, and at once proceeded to the scene of the accident to bring the passengers to Te Kuiti, where they could obtain accommodation, at which place they arrived at 11 p.m. In the vicinity of this washout the railway formation is about fifteen feet high and of pumice, and immediately the engine travelled over this, it loosened everything below, and the earthwork all slipped away. The, tender is sunk well into the pumice, with the engine just at the edge of the washout. The engine driver and fireman both had narrow escapes. Another slip has occurred the other side of Ongarue. The railway line, nearTe Kuiti, has not suffered much damage, the only destruction reported was that of a small culvet about a mile up the line, and a slip past the Waiteti'gorge. Railway communication has been stopped since Monday, and, if reports are true this will not remain so much longer, but up to the time of out going to press (Thursday) the line between Te Kuiti and Otorohanga was not in proper working order, and although the train left here shortly after noon on Thursday, the passengers had to be conveyed about two miles on trolleys, to connect with a train at the other end, near Otorohanga. One of Te Kuiti's oldest residents states that this is the largest flood since 1875.

At Te Kumi the line was all covered, but no great damage was done. The Maoris, it is reported, who were living on the low ground had to remove their belongings to the higher portions of the settlement.

No news has yet reached us from the settlements out back, but as the rain seems to have been very general we conclude they, as well as other places, have had their share of the downpour.

Hangatiki was all under water during Monday and Tuesday,_ but the men employed on the railway managed to get through on their way to Otorohanga and they reported that everything' was all right as far as the line was concerned, little or no damage having been done in this vicinity.

Our Taumarunui correspondent wired yesterday as follows : " Heavy rains for past week; rivers very high; damage comparatively small; banks of Wanganui river washed away, and whole sections are vanishiiig ; railway at Ongarue and small slips at Raurirnu."

Our Otorohanga correspondent wired yesterday as follows : " Messrs Ellis and Burnand's mill has been damaged to the extent of £2OO. The line is washed out a-half a mile from here and is vnder water for live miles towards Hangatiki. A settler, named Ranby, has lost close 011 160 sheep. All crops are totally destroyed.

Houses near the river are all Hooded and the Natives and Pakehas are all sheltering with friends on higher ground. Mr Le Prou, blacksmith, and family all had a very narrow escape. Mrs Le Prou and ten children were rescued by a boat manned by Natives, which caused great excitement. There is a washout at the Kawa swamp, and the trains arc delayed and cannot pass Otorohanga this week. The river is steadily falling to-day. A telegram from Auckland stales that the floods are general in the Auckland province several washouts have occurred on the railway line, as well as several bridges being destroyed. The crops have suffered wide-spread damage and over forty piles of lines is under water.