LOSS OF LIFE.

MUCH DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. [Pan Press Association.] WESTPORT, June 26. What is regarded as the record^ flood occurred in the Buller River on Saturday, beginning early in the morning and lasting throughout the day. Although some of the low-lying parts of the town were under water, and wash-outs occurred on the railway, the damage done appears to be slight; In some of the out-di6tricts losses of oattle occurred, and at Denniston, where, on Friday night, immediately preceding the flood, a terrific gale raged, a man was blown over a cliff and broke a leg. Mr M'Kenzie. M.H.R., telegrahs from Longford that the Buller dredge was carried away and two men were drowned. Rain, which had fallen intermittently for weeks, culminated on Friday night in a continuous downpour, causing the biggest flood known in the Buller River, and cutting off telegraphic communication with the outside world until last night. All the low-lying parts df the country are flooded. The Buller River backed up the water through the borough sewers flooding the town slightly in places, but no serious damage resulted from this cause, though several families had to leave their homes. . A small wharf was, covered, but the lowest platform oi ***> coal staiths is available and

t=wn_-iUfi.»._^ rialTlTirn[|| t)|||iw MfH i ||M ||j|| t ,^rry---^.llii-MIJi'P* U * t *^_J-l--the water-level is only two feet below the decking of Merchandise Una". Four srnalf washouts are reported on the railway near the town, and a sii^ at Mokihinui. A baker's delivery-cart horse was drowned in a depression m one of the principal streets. The settlers have lost -a considerable quantity of stock. Train connections are being made by drag. The correspondent ot the-" Westport Times" wires from Murchison that the Fern Flat dredge_brolce away with four men on board. Two ot the party got ashore, but two, named Robert Liddicoat and Craig, were drowned. Four steamers which were in the roadstead on Saturday got in yesterday afternoon.