FLOOD WATERS RECEDING.
THOUGH TRAFFIC STILL HELD UP. GENERAL ITEMS. The water is subsiding rapidly in the Moutoa, and Whirokino districts. The river at the wharf has dropped two or three feet. The flaxmills along the river bank are still under water but no great damage has been done, as motors etc., were removed before the water rose. It will be some days before it will be possible to resume work at the mills and .weeks before cutters will be able to work in the swamps.
Two Palmerston North residents experienced engine trouble while negotiating the water on the Sandon Road on Tuesday. They had to “get opt and push.” The car was brought into Foxton where it was some time before it could be coaxed to function again. The occupants were compelled to spend the night in Foxton. Numerous local residents availed themselves of the tine day yesterday to view the flooded areas. Many cars proceeded to Rangiotu, while others went out to Moutoa and Whirokino. The water had ■receded to a great extent at Rangiotu and Moutoa, but was very high up to the borough boundary, on the Whirokino Road. Numerous boats were at. work there rescuing cattle yesterday. Several houses were invaded to a slight extent. The mails are now all coming around Palmerston North, per Madge’s char-a-banc the Levin service being impassable. Matakarapa Swamp is still in a bad way. Cows had to be milked by the Maoris while standing in a foot or so of water.
Mr. Trigells’ house at Moutoa is 'reported to" have been greatly damaged as a result of the flood. Mr. Moir, manager for Whitaunui, Ltd., Moutoa, who proceeded to the mill before the flood rose on Monday morning was caught and unable to return that day. He put up at Mr. Prior’s residence and during the night Prior’s Bank went. The next day he managed to reach dry land per boat after an adventurous trip. His car is still at Whitaunui. Messrs Cook and Burr • were successful in savjing their pigs after an anxious time on the roof top. They returned to town yesterday.
A big sea was running yesterday and the s.s. Kennedy is still in port. The Wanganui-Palmerston N. main road is now clear with the exception of several minor slips. The Sanson tram line has suffered as a result of wash-outs, the sleepers having dropped off the twisted rails in places where the flood rushed through a self-made channel in the direction of Rangiotu. The washout at Motuiti has been repaired and the track to Rangiotu is now in comparatively good condition. The Makerua Drainage Board’s banking scheme was entirely successful in stopping the Manawatu and Tokomaru rivers from flooding most of the andl under the board’s jurisdiction. The comparatively small area flooded along the main Shannon-Palmerston North road is entirely due to water coming in at finishing-off points where the work is now nearing completion. Had the water risen another 3ft at Fitzherbert bridge, the water would have overflowed into the Makerua.
The following were among those rescued by the Foxton party at Rangiotu on Tuesday: —Messrs. Dixon, J. Harrison, Alve, E. Russel, Kennedy, J. Duncan, F. Grace, Say well, Fawcett, Moore and Mills. Mr. R. E. Dixon is probably the heaviest loser. In addition to losing all his pigs the flood took away a stack of mangolds about 300 feet long. About 30 people were rescued.
There was some 20 feet of water on the Half Crown'Bend when the flood was at its height on Tuesday. After the Foxton relief party left on Tuesday evening a canoe containing Messrs R. Larkins, T. Karweka, Interest, and Pita, capsized a little below the Rangiotu bridge through striking a snag, and precipitated the party into the water. They clung desperately to the canoe and the branch which upset it, while Mrs Barnes, observing their grave plight, called for help. Mr. Barnes and some others went to the rescue with a boat and landed the canoe party, exceedingly exhausted. It was a miraculous escape from death. Although the majority of the stock in the Rangiotu district was removed to safety some losses are inevitable and the destruction of valuable root crops certain. The heaviest losses have been made in pigs, but until the flood waters subside it is difficult to say just what has been the extent of mortality amongst stock. The damage to property—both pasture land and dwellings and contents—must be very great, however. In many cases the flood rose feet deep in residences, where such articles of furniture as pianos had to be left to their fate. RAILWAY OFFICIALS AT RANGIOTU. A party comprising Messrs J. Mason (Railway Board), G. J. Bertinshaw (inspecting engineer
from the head office, Wellington), W. A. Gordon (Inspector of Permanent Way) and H. W. Beasley (District Engineer) from Wanganui, left Palmerston North at 10 a.m. yesterday by a special inspection and works train to visit the scene of the washout at Rangiotu. The damage to the Foxton railway line cannot be ascertained as yet, and the service has been suspended indefinitely until further notice. d It will probably be Saturday before the Shannon-Palmerston N. road will be open for motor traffic. The present flood did not reach to the flood levels of of 1902 or to the level of the 1924 flood. The Makerua banking scheme was responsible for backing up the flood waters in the Kairanga area to a much greater extent than would otherwise be the ease. One objector to the River Board scheme in the Kairanga district had the whole of his farm inundated . Special praise is 'due to the Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perreau), and the local stationinaster (Mr. 11. Homblo'w) for the prompt measures taken to send relief to the settlers at Rangiotu when the call came to them_ on Tuesday. There was no lack of response from local men to render assistance to the stricken settlers and those who supplied boats and the men who so skilfully handled them special praise is due. The cheers that went up for the Foxton brigade by the Rangiotu settlers before the special train left Rangiotu for Foxton were from the heart. The following are the names of those who had charge of the boats: Messrs L. Smith, A. Stevenson, A. East, C. Huff, T. Tuna, and G. York.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19260729.2.20
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3517, 29 July 1926, Page 3
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1,059FLOOD WATERS RECEDING. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3517, 29 July 1926, Page 3
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