MANAWATU FLOODS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1939, Page 6

MANAWATU FLOODS

EXTENSIVE AREA STILL UNDER

WATER

DIFFICULTIES OF FARMERS.

FEEDING MAROONED ANIMALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) SHANNON. August 20. Though it is now more than two days since the peak of the Manawatu floods was reached, many thousands of acres of pasture land, some of it as good as any in New Zealand, are still under water in the Buckley. Kopuparoa. Moutat. Makerua. Lockwood and Lower Kairanga districts. Many settlers are still unable to leave their farms because of roads being covered wilt water, and livestock on scores of farms is still huddled on small areas of higher ground. The task of feeding hay to the marooned animals is sometimes very difficult. The problem of milking dairy herds is still acute and that of getting cream away to the factory, is, in some cases, still more acute. A fine spirit of cooperation among the settlers, however, is overcoming many difficulties. A large number of dairy herds is now being milked night and morning, in some cases miles away from their owner's farm.

Settlers in the Buckley-Koputaroa and Moutoa districts are very anxious that the Minister of Public Works, Mr Semple, should visit -the flood area while the water is still spread over the countryside in order that he may gain, first-hand, an idea of the seriousness of the flooding and the urgency of some form of control over the Manawatu River. "The key to the whole flood control problem in the Manawatu is the proposed cut at Whirokino,” said Mr R. J. Law. chairman of the Buckley Drainage Board. Till that cut was macle there was little hope of the settlers ever being free from the flood menace and the economic loss that was bound up with it. The loss, he said, did not end with livestock, fodder and general damage. With each flood valuable land was carried out to sea. HIGHWAY SATURATED DIVERSION OF HEAVY TRAFFIC DESIRED. TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGE ■ TO ROAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N.. August 19. Appeals to operators of heavy traffic vehicles to abstain, whenever possible, from using the Rangitane section of the main Palmerston North-Well-ington highway are made by the Public Works Department and the Manawatu Automobile Association. Flood waters.have saturated the foundation of this section of the road, and lorry traffic would have a tendency to bring about breaking up of the bitumen surface, with severe damage to the road. Light car traffic is not expected to have any effect on the road, though the Public Works Department aSks that this traffic as well as the heavier traf§c be diverted to the Palmerston North-Levin (via Shannon) highway. Automobile Association officials point out that the alternative route by way of Shannon is shorter than the other route, and, in addition, is now mainly a first-class highway, and is sealed for the greater part of its length.

This afternoon signposts were erected at Foxton Line and at the Himitangi corner directing heavy traffic from the Rangitane section by way of the Rongotca-Makowhai route, or vice versa.

ROADS STILL BLOCKED

DAMAGE IN WANGANUI AREA.

RIVER STEAMER TAKES SUPPLIES

TO SETTLERS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, August 20.

Rivers and creeks along the coast dropped considerably during the weekend and are almost back to normal level.

The Wanganui River road is badly blocked by slips in many places, and workmen are concentrating on cutting tracks round the ends of the slips. All the men who were employed on construction work have been diverted to the clearing of slips. The road to Mangamahu is badly blocked, but it is hoped to have a track through by Monday. Damage to the majority of roads in Wanganui County is extensive.

Because of slips on the river road it was decided to relieve settlers' wants by sending up a river steamer as far as Pipiriki yesterday morning.