The Gisborne Floods.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 2711, 5 July 1892, Page 2

The Gisborne Floods.

(j?EE PREB..3 ASSOPIATI.QN.)

Ojsbokijb, July £. Tha heaviest flood experienced hgre for sixteen years, occurred to-day, owing to heavy rains on Saturday night and yesterday, The homesteads of many setters are sm?roun4fi4 by watgr^ while several have had to leave tkejr dss'elfjngg. The Waipawa river overflowed its banks, and thousands of acres are under water. There is considerable loss of stock, and many converts have been carried away, but no loss of life is reported, ].t is still raining, and it is feared the worst .8 not over. Later. It is impossible at present to tell the damage done by the floods. All the lowlying portion of the flat was covered with from two to five feet of water during the oraater part of the day. The settlers istaVie'd early to shift the stock and sheep to higlier ground.' Though many have lost sheep, the number pahnoi'bfc agcer-j tamed, as everyone l<»s been ocpupiecl m removal. A few families whose residence was on low ground, left their homes. At one o'clock the water broke the road midway between Makauri and Wairangahika, £io6dj.ng sfs.kauri flats and discharging iood'water"'clown tLe Tayrpho river. As there are a number of' Small settlers on t that block occupied m dairy farming, their Inss of fead for stock wijl be severe. In some of the houses th« water covered the floors, and others had two to three feet inside. Ths tide being very high, between one and two o'clock tho water \vas backed up, and the whole country jfcetVe'eri Espies corner and Wairangahika \yas like a'sea'. 'About four o'c^qck the big river broke through into an did cha'h. i iiel 3f This 'relieved the flats geiwaity,'^4 t))9 ikty f?ll tw.9 |«yt

within an hour. No damage was done about the town, but along ilia coast road all the creeks were swollen and the road was impassable. Beyond Turuhu-Wairoa .road*..near Craill's gate, a hnavy slip has taken place, and a bridge there collapsed. Breaches being caused m the main road, the middle road through the flats recently formed and metalled has been levelled into the drains. This, with the metal ani culverts washed away ou other roads, will entail heavy costs to tho County Council for repairs. There has been appearances of the weather breaking all I the afternoon, but k Ls still drizzling, with a high wind and a heavy .sea m the isay. News received from Oruiond tonight states that the floods are again rising