HEAVY FLOODS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXIII, 8 December 1920, Page 2

HEAVY FLOODS.

THE WOBST FOB TEAKS. Yesterday the streams along this * coast were all swollen as a result of the steady rain which fell, especially on the back mountainous country., Last night the rivers rose rapidly, and at a very early hour this morning the floods were at their height. , Those who have had experience say that the Otaki Kiver was higher than it has been for from fifteen to eigh-| teen years, though it is pleasing tO| note that at Eangiuru the flood, though severe, was not nearly so bad as was experienced only a year ago. WAIKAWA BRIDGE COLLAPSES. A tremendous volume of water is running in the Waikawa. The north end of the bridge has collapsed, and there is a gap of about 60ft, which precludes all main road traflic. Llsewhero the County Council notifies that the bridge is closed uutil further, notice. Mr Anderson (County Engineer) has the matter in hand, and doubtless all speed will be shown in getting the bridge ready for traffic, if only temporarily. The collapse of- ( the bridge means very great inconvenience to the public. DAMAGE AT OTAKI. On the Rauparalia Road ■ ••nsickr able damage has been done, and at 0 a.in. the water was practically over many fences in the neighbourhood of tho Wuitohu und scores of acres were inundated. The Wuitohu river broke through near the golf links, swept over the road, washed away the bridge, and joined the Mangapuuri creek, which, strange to say, is but little above normal, The waters flowed down wliat is known us the Waikato drain, spread over many acres of Mr Tews’ land, across Tasman road, and into the adjacent paddocks, then on to Raugiuru, where acres ot land were flooded. IStock had to he removed from various holdings. At the Waitohu Mr Geo. Noble was fortunate in finding his sheep on the high levels. Luckily, Chinese gardeners in. the came locality missed the worst oi the flood, but many houses are cut oft from road access. BLOCK AT TOKOJiARU. Serious trouble has been caused by flood waters in the neighbourhood ol the Tokotnaru bridge on the main road. The approach to the bridge has been flooded for a considerable area, owing to the river overflowing its banks, and the bridge is impassable. The road has been scoured out, ami ihe approach to the bridge is now only about a yard wide. To effect repairs will mean a considerable amount of work. LOCAL DAMAGE. Settlers residing up the Otaki Gorge report that the flood is one of the highest for years. A bridge erected by Mr Russling over the W;;ttatapia, ten feet above the normal level of the water, was washed away. Several elipra have come down the ' Gorge road, blocking traflic. So far as

we can gather, these are not a very serious affair. It is too early yet to say what damage has been done along the river banks, but it is feared settlers will suffer heavy loss by the encroachment. "■ liariy this morning a considerable amount of flood water was flowing over low-lying parts of Otaki Bail way, near the railway station, and towards the bridge. The approaches to tl.t Otaki bridge were covered to a considerable depth, preventing motors from crossing. The water, however, is subsiding rapidly. At Kangiuru the damage done is comparatively small, the floods, not being so serious as on several previous occasions.