FLOOD DAMAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 12

FLOOD DAMAGE

HAWKE’S BAY ROADS

RESCUE OF STOCK

HASTINGS, Jan. 26. With a rapid dropping in the levels of flooded rivers to-day, all danger of further flood damage in Hawke’s Bay has now passed. Although surface water is slowly getting away, there were still large areas to-day covered with water, particularly in the Pakowhai orchard area. The Pakowhai Road is still impassable. The Napier-Wairoa road was opened for traffic late this afternoon, but the Napier-Taupo road is still blocked by slips and damaged bridges. Following an inspection of the damage to the Napier-Taupo road to-day, Mr R. Pnflett, Hawke’s Bay County engineer, said to-night that traffic would be able to get through by way of a detour to-morrow, probably in the afternoon. Traffic from Napier would proceed by way of Taradale, Puketapu, Apiey and Glengarry, joining the main Taupo road at the spot known as Stoddart’s Corner. Extreme caution and very careful driving will be necessary on this detour, said Mr Puflett.

Several settlers luckily rescued sheep and other stock before they were overwhelmed by flood-waters. In one case a large number of sheep were saved from drowning by the cutting of a hole in a fence, allowing them to escape to higher ground before the floodwaters caught them. Mr A. J. Masters, Twyford, lost about 140 head of sheep, and Mr P. Drummond, Puketapu lost approximately 200 wethers whicli had been grazing on a riverbed. Smart rescue work by a party headed by a Hastings stock auctioneer saved from drowning practically the whole line of 500 lambs which was grazing in a paddock alongside the Pakowhai Bridge. Yesterday, when the danger to the lambs was realised, five large lorries rushed out, but, Irecause of the depth of the water, only one lorry got through. A surf boat from Whakatu was then rushed to the scene on a motor-lorry. The surf boat was very difficult to handle in the swift-running waters, and the party experienced considerable difficulty in getting lambs aboard. It was only after strenuous efforts that the majority of the lambs were removed to safer ground. Although orchardists generally did not suffer severely from the storm and flood waters, those in the Pakowhai area were not so fortunate. Flood waters spread over a considerable area at Pakowhai and, in addition, many trees were uprooted bv wind. The subsidences on the railway line between Napier and Hastings were responsible for the AVellington-Napier express being held up at Whakatu last evening. One hundred and sixty passengers, mails and luggage were transhipped to buses and lorries and conveyed to Napier. Repairs were effected during the night, and this morning’s express for Wellington got through, although it was about 20 minutes late arriving at Hastings. Because of numerous slips and washouts, there will be no trains running on the East Coast line for several days.

TRYING EXPERIENCE.

MAROONED PARTY RESCUED.

WAIPUKURAU, Jan. 26. Encamped in a V-shaped piece of ground on the Tukituki River in the vicinity of Ashcotte Station, Takapau, six people had a very trying experience in yesterday’s flood. Mr J. H. Thompson, "with his wife and child, together with two Maoris and one European, were living in tents, the men being engaged on a stone-crushing plant. On awakening yesterday morning the members of the party were horrified to find themselves surrounded by rushing flood waters, and the small space on which the camp was situated formed a small island which was rapidly becoming smaller. No escape to the mainland was possible, and in desperation guns were fired in the hope of attracting attention.

After a line had l>een thrown across following many efforts, Mr B. Diamond constructed a “flying fox.” A boatswain’s chair was then fixed, with a snatch hook, and all brought to safety. Before this was done, Mr Diamond pluckily crossed over to make sure that the tackle was safe. CONDITION OF ROADS.

The Manawatu Automobile Association reported to-day that the NapierWairoa highway is noiv open. The Napier-Taupo road is also open, but a detour is necessary at Rissington Road, about 194 miles from Napier, on the road to Taupo.