HEAVY STOCK LOSSES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 July 1937, Page 2

HEAVY STOCK LOSSES

' FAR NORTH FLOODS. FENCES DESTROYED. Per Press Association. WHANGAREI, July 2. Settlers in the Hikurangi swamp area and Helena Bay and Mokau suffered severely from the flood, between 15,000 and 20,000 acres of swamp being submerged. The stock losses are exceptionally heavy. Several settlers had to leave their homes and in many places household effects were ruined. Boats were used to rescue stock, but the carcases of horses, cows and pigs are floating in a number of places. At Helena Bay one family had to spend the night on the ton of the table in tlie sitting-room, while another family left the house just in time and spent half the night on the hills without shelter. It is stated that there is hardly a fence left standing. CAUGHT BY LANDSLIDE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 2. The railway line between Kaukapakapa and Whangarei is still impassable, and it is not anticipated that services from Auckland to the north will be resumed until Monday. Trains for the north left Auckland according to normal schedule to-day, but their journey was completed at Kaukapakapa. There was an appreciable drop in the level of the flood between Helensville and Maungaturoto but at Hoteo and Wnyhy progress was barred by water which was as deep as 6ft in some places. Rail services were maintained between Whangnrei and Hukerenui. The Donnelly’s Crossing-Kaihu-Dargaville train again maintained its schedule. Traffic on the Tangowahine-Waiotiro section is blocked by several slips between Pukehnia and Waiotira. As gangers have been diverted to work on the main line between Auckland and Whangarei this section is not expected to be cleared until early next week. Working feverishly with spades and shovels, several shepherds saved the life of Mr C. Turner, manager of the Mangatawhiri Estate. Matakana. when he was partially buried by a landslide caused by flood erosion to-day. When Mr Turner saw the landslide approaching he attempted to run to safety, but lie had proceeded only a few yards when the fall of earth overtook him. He was flung to the ground and covered by debris. Subsequently shepherds noticed his coat hanging on a post, and investigations revealed his plight. When freed, Mr Turner was found to he unhurt except for bruises and shock.