THE FLOOD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3550, 14 October 1926, Page 3

THE FLOOD.

Although the Whirokino Road was clear until late on Tuesday afternoon, the water rose quickly towards evening and completely blocked the road. Mr Fred Rout, mail contractor between Foxton and Levin, found it impossible to get through by ear at 8.30 p.m. and had to engage the services of a boat and horse and dray. The mail car was left on the Levin side of the Whirokino Bridge and passengers and luggage transported over the Hooded area in boat and dray to dry land, where another car was waiting. , Between the Whirokino Bridge and Foxton there were four cars and one motor lorry stranded in the flooded area on Tuesday. The flood waters reached within a quarter of a mile of the highest point reached in the/ July and the Whirokino Road will be under water for a considerable time. The water is entirely off the Shannon Road. One motor vehicle was also caught in the flood water on this road during the time the road was under water. The road north of Foxton is now clear but is in a shocking state, having been badly washed out in places. The water is getting away from Frances St. but residents’ gardens have been ruined. This is the second time this year this street has been inundated by surface water. The Shannon punt is now in working order again.

BIG SLIP IN MANAWIATU GORGE ROAD BLOCKED ALL THIS WEEK.

At 7.10 o’clock yesterday a great landslide occurred at the Devil’s Elbow, in the Manawatu Gorge, a quarter of a mile from the Palmerston N. end. The fall is estimated at 3,000 cubic yards, the largest that has come down for a long time. The hillside is still sliding and many tons are ready to push their way down as soon as the lower debris is cleared away.

It will be impossible to clear a passage for traffic this week. Fifty yards of concrete walling has been carried away.

The Pahiatua track is negotiable, though in a very heavy state.