WATERS RECEDING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 315, 31 August 1932, Page 5

WATERS RECEDING

MILES OF COUNTRY FLOODED Masterton, Tuesday. Several Masterton residents whose 'houses were surrounde'd, by water this morning to such an extent as to cause a good deal of anxiety, were recently relievd when the rain ceased at mid-day, and the flood water soon receded, the position becoming no worse than was reported in the morning. By five o'clock in the afternoon, the water had receded considerably, and all danger from further floods appears to be past, as the sky is now cloudless. Most of the flooding occurred as a result of creelcs flowing through the town overflowing, while the culverts were unable to cope with the water. Good progress was made with the restoration of the telephone lines affeeted by Sunday's snow. Several country roads near Masterton are blocked with slips, but the Rimutaka road was cleared late in the afternoon to allow the passage of cars. A' slip near the tunnel between Eketahuna and Mangamahoe, about 16 miles from Masterton, blocked all traffic this morning, and it is not expected the road will be clear until six o'clock to-morrow night, but restricted services will be run in the meantime. Passengers to-day were transhipped by car to and from Eketahuna; Jt is not expected that the wash-

out at Tauherenikau bridge will be repaired for light traffic for the next two days; passengers are being transhipped in the meantime. According to an aerial survey of the lower valley regions, miles of country are under water. In many cases the water is up to the fence tops, while int the Pontahi district water is swirling around the doors of several houses. The water of the Ruamahanga river is still rushing through the breach in the stop bank. Owing to the volumes of water which cover practieally the whole of the low- ' lying country, it is impossible to give an estimate of the stock losses with any degree of accuracy at present. Here and there cattle, sheep, and horses are seen huddled together on small islands. Unless the water recedes their food is a problem. The Tewaha factory near Martinborough is completely surrounded by water, some of which is running in at the doors,