FLOODS PASSING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 November 1938, Page 6

FLOODS PASSING

POSITION IN MANAWATU.

GORGE ROAD REOPENED.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N„ November 4.

The Manawatu Gorge road, which was blocked yesterday by a slip at the Woodville end, was reopened for traffic this morning at 8.30 after a ganghad worked for two hours to clear a passage through the debris. Motorists are advised to use extreme care when passing the slip. It is not necessary now for traffic to use the Pahiatua track. More rain fell overnight, but it had little effect on the state of the flood which existed in several parts of the district. Considerable quantities of surface water remained today, more particularly in the lower Manawatu and Awahuri districts. The Manawatu River maintained its level of 12ft 9in for some time last night and early this morning, but subsided slowly during the day. At dusk tonight the level was 10ft, and provided excessive rain does not fall on the eastern ranges the waters are expected to recede more rapidly during the night. Settlers along the river spent a fairly anxious night, as floods were feared. Many took the precaution of shifting their stock to more elevated land. Inquiries today reveal that, apart from minor flooding, no damage has resulted to the land, nor has there been any loss of stock. The Foxton highway at Whirokino has remained open, but in parts water has put the road in a bad condition, and caution is -still required whennegotiating the stretch. Reports from Woodville, Feilding and Pahiatua districts state that all rivers and streams are subsiding. What rain there was today was light and of no consequence. Many paddocks in these districts are partly submerged by surface water, but if the warm wind continues conditions should soon improve.