FLOOD DESOLATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 1 April 1913, Page 7

FLOOD DESOLATION.

STREETS; STREWN WITH I / REFUSE.

[WATER SUM_Y STOPPED,

| —SANITARY CONDITIONS FEAE— .

'"DAMAGE IN BACK COUNTRY,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

GORE, this day. Gore Borough Council met yesterday afternoon to consider flood * matters. Several cases of distress were reported in various parts of the town, principally owing to damaged and lost clothing and bedding. In some houses doors were burst open by the force of the flood, and clothing and bedding were washed out and lost. The Council decided to open a local subscription list, and invite the citizens to subscribe. The streets of Gore this morning were littered with damaged goods discarded by shops, which are being taken away in carts. Some looting was reported during Sunday, and even this morning women were seen removing damaged goods that had been placed on the-pavement in a most barefaced manner. No definite information is yet available as to when the electric light and power which are supplied from the Mataura Falls will lie available. There is very little water in the town reservoir, and as- it is.filled through the agency of a motor directly coupled on to the pump, there will bo no water in the mains • until power is restored. This is likely to affect sanitation conditions. Efforts are now beiug nade to convey water to private houses, but house delivery in this manner vould be only for cooking and washing purposes. Though disinfectants an being used as far as possible, the totn will soon ibe in an insanitary condition unless there is water in the mains bon. The first authentic news from Waikaia district came to hand ihis morning. The "Ensign's" corespondent writes: —"Severe loss and datage were sustained everywhere in this' district owing to the flood. Familis were rescued by men on horseback, pottages above the railway terminus wre carried away bodily, and strajied in pieces miles below. "Railway workers' houses were looded early on Friday evening, and diiculty was experienced in rescuing theoccu•pants. Their belongings -were ained owing to silt. Coalpit owners are heavy sufferers." At Fresh Ford several families, ha. to leave their homes, and take refug in the only house above the water levl. There were heavy losses of stock lorer down the valley, and great damage „ done to buildings and crops. The railway line was gutted out a several places, and near Switzer's static the destruction was very heavy. It \ anticipated that at least two months wil pass before a' train can run between, Riversdale and Waikaia. The county roads and bridges suffered severely, and mining properties were seriously affected. The "Ensign's" Wendonside correspondent writes: "As the water recedes it leaves a scene of desolation hard to describe. Fences have been washed out, and crops in stook swept away. The most serious aspect is the winter feed. Turnips and grass are covered with silt, 3nd rendered almost; useless. "On one farm an entire flock of 600 Sheep was swept away."