FLOODS IN THE NORTH

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1917, Page 4

FLOODS IN THE NORTH

FOUR PERSONS DROWXEP. GREAT DAMAGE DONE. By Telegraph,—-Presn Auocifttiofc, Whangarei, Feb. 5. Floods of unprecedented severity oc curved in tlie north. A week's rain cul--I'iinated on Saturday in a phenomenal downpour, the streets and houses in tha low-lying parts of Whangarei being Hooded, and considerable damage was done to property. The water was tlirea I'eet deep in the dairy factory (irave damage was done at the great Wairau falls electric station. The water rose eleven feet in the power bouse, anl a portion of the canal broke away, tho power and lights being cut off from VVhangarei. Possibly it will be six weeks before the power is restored Tbo railway traffic is interrupted.. There were four fatalities—Patrick Power, Walter .Jaeobson, Alfred AtwooJ and Mrs. Jane Christie {the latter lived at /Towai) were returning from a, visit, when they were swept, away. The Hood is rapidly subsiding. DAMAGE ON THE WAIROA TWO LIVES LOST Dargaville, Yesterday. There was a torrential downpour in the northern Wairoa and Friday night, ami on Saturday the river was iu heavy flood. The Kaihu C'rcek drainage area wis under water, and the traffic bridge was curried away. 'I wo young Maoris were drowned. A lavi'i- quantity of stock was destroyed jh the Wairoa, the settlements being under water. At Kirikopuni the store was Hooded to tite roof p"ii valuable stock was destroyed. A large amount of live stock wsh drowned. Farmers will sutler severely. Heavy rain again fell this morning. Dargaville is unalfected. Freshes arc ex* peeled down tu-morrow.