FLOOD DAMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 1 April 1913, Page 6

FLOOD DAMAGE.

HOW IT CAN BE LESSENED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) WELLINGTON, this day. The Government Meteorologist, Mr. Bates, has taken advantage of the opportunity afforded by the heavy losses through floods in Southland and Otago to urge the need for more observing stations and greater facilities for publication of warnings. Various critics interested in meteorology have repeatedly stressed the need of more stations for the accurate recording of rainfall at important localities, and fox the prompt transmission of the facts to Wellington. Without this systematic watching of the Tain on a well-organised plan it is impossible to make trustworthy estimates of the probable heght of a flood in any particular river. The Southern troubles were unusually heavy, but every year damage is caused by rivers which break their normal bounds. The annual loss is very considerable, says Mr. Bates, and he submits that it is impossible to guard against much of the injury—for example, the drowning of stock.

j The oilice has been able on many occasions to warn settlers against approaching storms and probable floods, and many of those who promptly acted on the advice had cause to be thankful. For example, the Gisborne district in 1910 had the highest flood of its history, but not one animal fell a sacrifice to the roaring waters. The settleTe gave heed to a message from the weather office, and drove their stock to the uplands. In the latest case the office exerted itself to indicate the risks of loss to farmers on Wednesday. Southern stations were told to expect a change on Thursday. He referred to the advance of tempestuous weather, and a likelihood of a rise of rivers. A telegram dispatched to Southern districts on Friday urged the stations to advise the newspapers and the- public that rain was heavy in the back country, and the rivers would be flooded soon. Another warning Bent out on Friday morning was that rivens would be in high flood. This was based on information of rainfall received from Fairlic, Quccnstown, and other places. RAILWAY DAMAGE AND THE TRAFFIC. The General Manager of Railways, MrT. Ronavne, states that services throughout the' South Island will be running as usual by Wednesday. Washouts have been numerous in Southland, and many bridges are defective, the Kakaia bridge being the worst case, as some of the piles have been washed away; but the staff, especially in the Southern districts, is used to dealing with flood trouble, and he anticipates that Tepairs will not —n into a heavy expense. DAMAGE — WESTI_ND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HOKITH—, Monday. Friday and Saturday's flood caused an immense amount of damage in South Westland. The Big Wanganui River, 50 miles south of Hokitika, cut into the baJi- and formed a new channel, overflowing the flat and flooding low-lying lands. Reports of damage coming to hand show that losses of sheep and cattle are serious throughout the district. __ The banks of the Little Wanganui Favor have been cut into, and it is stated that if works aTe not constructed to protect the land a large tract of land will ibe ruined. Until the flood subsides it will not be known what stock has been lost, but the number is known to be very considerable- Many settlers were unable to milk their cows for 24 hours. ~ Bridges and culverts have been baoly damaged. Two spans of the Teremakau bridge, which is south of Greymouth, have been washed away. There were 1 each 80ft. in length. A portion of the' bridge, almost intact, lies on the river-bed," and some of it is piled up on the sea beach. The Mayor of Kumara cor—lunicated with the Grey Harbour Board authorities, who, in response to his request, sent up their rocket apparatus By this means a wire was thrown across the river, and passengers, including suppliers to the creamery, are m the meantime being carried across in the reports have been current that lives of settlers have been lost at Inter-Wanganui, inquiries so far go to show that the rumours are- incorrect. TROOPS DELAYED. IBr Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. , Three hundred West Coast Territorial troops, who intended to march to Otira as they did when joining the Yaldhurst camp, "resumed their homeward journey to-day. They started from the camp on, Friday, but had to go into camp again owing to the flooded state of. the rivers. \ special train will carry them as far as safe travelling will allow over the unopened portion of the railway beyond Cass.

SOUTffI—ND FLOODS :_CEDING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

INVERCARGiLL, Monday.

The. floods arc everywhere receding, but the damage has been very extensive in country districts. The weather is now fine.

It is not often that the subject of love-making finds a place in Governmental records. The Lieutenant-Governor of Papua, however, deals with it at some length in a report to the Minister of External Affairs. "The boys and girls here," says Judge Murray, " get married very young. If the boys wait until they become older, and get hair on their faces, the girls would not like them. If a boy likes a girl, and wants to marry her by and bye, he does not tell her or her parents, as is the English custom. What he|does 5s to tell 'his sister, to whom he gives some tobacco, betel-nut or beads to take to the girl, with an intimation that he would like to 'yarn' with her. ' Yarn' in Papuan means to make love. If the girl accepts the presents she sends a message to the boy, stating that sh« is willing .to 'yarn' with him, .and makes an appointment for a' certain place! If, after they have ' yarned' the girl finds that she likes the boy sufficiently to marry him, they then ' yarn' without hiding themselves, so that all the village may know. They would be ashamed to ' yarn' in the daytime, and consequently all their meetings take place at night. If the girl's parents are not angry when they hear the news, the boy sends them presents of fish, or wallaby, or other food, and if it is accepted it is a sign that there is no objection to the marriage."