BIG FLOOD IN MANAWATU

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2806, 4 November 1924, Page 2

BIG FLOOD IN MANAWATU

LARGE AREA INUNDATED. SPAN OF SHANNON BRIDGE WASHED AWAY. DAMAGE TO RAILWAY LINE. One of the biggest Hoods of recent years occurred in the Manavaitu river over the week-end, resulting in the inundation of a large area of land, particularly in the Tiakitahuna, Moutoa and Shannon districts. The Shannon bridge suffered considerably in the flood and the span at the southern end collapsed and was washed away. The (ondition of this bridge has. been the subject of several conferences by local bodies and on many occasions in recent years the danger of the bridge collapsing in the event of a serious Hood has been emphasised. The road between Shannon and Fox ton was impassable yesterday. It is now possible to use the Moutoa road but until steps are taken to repair the bridge direct communication with Shannon will he cut off. The bridge is controlled by the Horowhenua Comity Council. Its repair and protective work will entail a big expenditure. Timely warning of the flood coming down enabled settlers in the Moutoa. district- to remove stock to higher ground and practically no losses in this connection are reported. The river broke through in several places at Moutoa, flooding the area in live vicinityof the Whit - annul and Poplar flax mills. The land in this area is inundated. The millers concerned will be heavy losers, as a considerable quantity of fibre in the bleaching gguidocks is under water. The flood waters penetraied lo a point about a mile from the Shannon township and as far south as Walden’s Corner. From the hill at Aiarotiri on Sunday afternoon almost the whole of the Mouioa basin could he seen inundated.

The' water ltowed.*over (he road on the south side of the Wliirokino bridge and is still hanked up in this locality although io-day is rajndly falling on the Moutoa road. At Tiakitahuna. and Rangiotu it cohered the countryside for miles and cut off train and road traffic. To-day the train and road traffic has been resumed although there is still a good deal of water on the road at Rangiotu. The river rose (o within IS inches from the top of the local wharf but no damage was done.