Settlers Marooned

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 501, 2 November 1928, Page 1

Settlers Marooned

FLOODS IN WAIRARAPA

Dairy Factory Ceases Work

The position at Kokotau has not improved and many settlers, particularly in the Ahiaruhe soldier settlement, are being practically marooned on their separate islands. In some instances water entered the dwellings, but not many or to a great depth. A number of cow-sheds have been inundated and settlers are compelled to milk cows in the bails of neighbours, who have very generously come to their assistance. Messrs. H. R. Renall, Kokotau. and W. M. Jury, Ponatahi, are both cut on: from all but telephone communication, and though they have plenty of flour and bacon, bread and other supplies are exhausted. Various groceries were being sent to them but the problem is to get them there. The case of Mr. Renall is growing particularly hard. He has to separate his whole yield night and morning, and as this has been proceeding for the. past three days, the cans are becoming full of cream and there is nowhere to store the milk. Quite recently Mr. Renall shifted his house, which was formerly right on the river bank. The old site has now completely disappeared. No losses of stock are yet reported. Further down the valley in the Kahutara and Tuhitarata districts the condition is even worse regarding flood waters. An excessive rise in the Ruamahunga River caused the water to break over the massive stopbank erected, and the country, which has been immune from flood for years past, is now covered. All the high country is covered with sheep, cattle and horses. The Tuhitarata factory ceased work on account of the water entering the factory, and milk supplies are now being sent to the Pirinoa factory, which is hard put to cope with the extra supply. The same applies to the Kouotau factory, which is receiving supplies from the Ahiaruhe settlement.

Press Association CARTERTON, To-day. FE serious floods in the South Wairarapa district have now wrecked the Kouotau Bridge. A 30-foot span has collapsed into the river, carrying with it the temporary piers recently erected to support the structure. Postal are seriously upset. Ahiaruhe, Kouotau and Ponatahi are now completely cut off, but the water has fallen two feet and the weatfier is improving.

is responsible for the unseasonable weather from which Wellington has been suffering for three days. There has been a southerly gale and heavy rains. The Hutt River is running very high and much low-lying land is under water. Beyond a few slips no great damage has been done, except under the viaduct which crosses Tinakori Road, connecting Kelburn with the suburbs of Northlands and Karori. A large slip came down right underneath it, blocking the road below and rendering the viaduct unsafe. A number of tramcars were cut off on the other side this morning and passengers are now being transferred till the road is cleared. The viaduct itself is also closed for vehicles. Several coastal- vessels -have been forced to seek shelter and difficulty has been experienced in berthing others. Residents of Eastbourne have been tossed about in the ferry steamers when crossing to the city. The Hutt railway line gave officials anxiety yesterday. Minor washouts occurred, and as a precaution trains were run on the inner line. The waves in the morning broke right over the carriages, and water poured through the ventilators.