MANY SLIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1938, Page 7

MANY SLIPS

FURTHER HEAVV RAIN IN WAIRARAPA DISTRICT ROADS BLOCKED FLOODING IN LOW-LYING AREAS Further heavy rain set in last evening, and as a result many district roads are blocked by slips. Every effort is being made to reopen the roads for traffic as soon as possible. Flooding of low-lying land is reported at Tawaha and other South Wairarapa localities usually subject to inundation. The position generally, however, is not considered to be serious. Fortunately the lake outlet is open. During the 24 hours ended 9 o’clock this morning 1.40 inches of rain fell in Masterton. Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. yesterday Miss M. A. Brown, Masterton recorder, states that 71 points of rain were registered locally. Mr H. M. Boddington recorded 1.34 inches at Solway for the 24-hour period ended 9 o’clock this morning. Mr A. Cameron reports that 2.94 inches of rain fell at Mauriceville during the 24 hours'ended 9 a.m. today. MASTERTON COUNTY ROADS Although many roads in the Masterton County are blocked by slips and small washouts, no major damage has been reported. Drivers are urged to proceed cautiously on all roads. The Blairlogie-Langdale road is blocked by a big slip at the 20-mile peg, and there is another fairly large slip at the 22jmile peg. Emergency gangs are at work. There is a slip on the Master-ton-Castlepoint Road near Brammerton, and the road is completely blocked further on by a large slip. Several minoi’ slips and washouts have occurred on the Masterton-Stronvar Read. On the Stronvar side of Brancepeth a culvert is washed out, but efforts are being made to have repairs effected by this afternoon. The Te Ore Ore-Bide-ford Highway is completely blocked between Bcwlands and Tividale. It is uncertain'when this road will be reopened. The Mangaparapara Road, Bideford, is also completely blocked.. Several slips are reported on the Wangaehu Road, which is believed to be blocked 15 miles out. An old culvert at the 36-mile peg on the Homewood Road has caused some trouble, and it is understood that the road is closed, though arrangements are being made to get traffic inrough by using the new culvert. Ngaumu Road is also closed to traffic. TE WHARAU DISTRICT Very heavy rain has been experienced in the Te Whataru district during the past two days, when six inches were registered. For the 24 hours ended 9 o’clock- this morning, 3.60 inches were recorded. Some roads were blocked yesterday, but later were reopened for traffic. However rain set in again heavily last night, bringing down further slips and blocking the Maungaraki and Tyneside roads. The mail car was not able to get through today. Workmen are at present engaged in clearing the road. ’ The Wainuioru Valley Road is blocked, and a slip on the Admiral Road is being attended to. A culvert on Waterson’s Road, Dalefield, has caused a blockage there. Although the water reached a high level las night, the main road at the Waiohine Bridge, near Greytown, is now .open. The Swamp Road, however, is still blocked. POSITION IN LOWER VALLEY The Featherston-Martinborough road is blocked by flood waters at Tawaka. The mail car this morning was unable .to get through. It is expected that the position will rapidly improve tomorrow. The Haungaroa River is falling rapidly, though the Raumahanga is still carrying a great volume of water. The Martinborough-Masterton Road is blocked near Longbush, where a big rock weighing several tons, besides other debris, crashed down on to the road. The Makuri Gorge is blocked by slips. WARNING TO MOTORISTS Mr J. C. D. Mackley, Masterton County Clerk, wishes to warn motorists to exercise the utmost care on roads in the county, as it has not been possible yet to ascertain the exact damage in many places. Roads throughout tne county are more or less affected.

MANAWATU GORGE. BLOCKED BY A SLIP. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., September 9. The Manawatu Gorge was completely blocked this afternoon when further debris fell about half-way through the gorge road on top of a slip which came down in last night’s downpour of rain. „ . The road will be closed to traffic tonight and probably most of tomorrow; no indication can be given yet as to when the road will be open.

DOWNPOUR IN HASTINGS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HASTINGS, September 9. Minor flooding in many Hastings streets occurred this morning shortly after eleven o’clock, as a result of a sudden and torrential downpour of rain which lasted about half an hour. During that period more than ten points of rain fell. •