FLOOD WATERS FALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 9

FLOOD WATERS FALL.

SITUATION IN SOUTH. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 10. The general appearances of the Taieri Plains to-day have suggested little or no change in the position, but the cessation of rains for several hours had had an effect, and the river and flood waters alike show signs of subsiding. With the fall of the level of the surface water on some of the higher parts of the country, it is apparent that the greater proportion ot the land flooded has suffered less damage than at first appeared likely. At the same time, however, the situation today emphasised with even greater force the grave plight of the district. On the south and west side of the river the losses have been very heavy in stock and property, and the possibility of a rapid return to normal on many of these farms is remote.

AIINISTER’S ASSURANCE. AID FOR PEOPLE. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. “These people in the south affected by floods can take it from me that every thing that can be done will be done to get them out of their trouble bv clearing highways and reinstating bridges,” said the Alinister of Public [Works (Hon. R. Semple) to-night. Engineers were now on a job or making close investigation of the damage caused by ’the floods,-, said the Alinister. Interim estimates of the damage had been made, but, as a Alinister, lie could do little till the reports were received by him in a few days. , , , “Then we will set to work and do the best we can,” Air Semple said. “This is the second disastrous flood New Zealand has had in the last two months. The last flood in the North

Island caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage, and now the South lias been stricken and we have yet to face the winter.” ROAD REPORT. ' NORTH ISLAND ROUTES. A report on the roads issued by the Alanaivatu Automobile Association states: Although heavy rain has been experienced the majority of the arterial highways are still open for normal traffic. The Wanganui-Pipinki Road and the Stratford-Ohura Road (Tarangakau) are still blocked as a result of the previous storm damage. , Tlie * Wanganui-llaetihi Road via Parapara was closed yesterday but it was expected that it would be open within a few hours. East Cape.—The main . road round East Cape in the vicinity of Hicks Bay is blocked, to traffic meantime as a result of, heavy rain making new fillings impaasable. With tlie - continuation of wet weather motorists are warned that the roads throughout the North Island may suffer in consequence, particularly in the Awakino Valley and the Taumaru-nui-Te Kuiti areas'.