THE NORTH ISLAND FLOODS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16798, 1 April 1920, Page 7

THE NORTH ISLAND FLOODS.

INQUEST ON VICTIMS.

(press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, March 31. At tho inquest on the victims of the Paparoa flood John Matthews, a labourer in the employ of tho Public Works Department, deposed to tho death of his wife and three children, their ages being: Winnie 12, Doris 9, and Helen 3. In describing his experiences Matthews said that he swam with the youngest child to a bank. 'Ihc flood waters had risen to the top wire of tho fence. Ho lost some time in getting over the fence. On returning to his home the fc-nco was quite under water. His wife handed the baby to him out of a window, and he carried it to a bank. By this time the stream was very strong, and he had to go two chains up tho bank from thero and then swim down to the house. Owing to tho strength cf the current he missed tho first corner of the dwelling, but ho managed to the other corner as he was swept along. Ho worked lus way round tlio house, and found that the water was half way up the window. His wife was in a fainting condition, and he had to get into the room where she was through the window to help her, thereby losing more time. About ten minutes afterwards he and his w ifc and lour children reached the roof. The house was washed away and all were thrown into the river. He held the child nearest, Ada, and ho thought that Winnie caught- hold of him. He then sank, and on coming to the surface he managed to swim to the bank with Ada; Winnie was' then floating on the water out of his reach. One witness deposed that the deceased man, William Pearce, was sixty vears of age, and came from Brighton, 'England. "For six or seven years prior to going to Paparoa he worked at Kaukapakapa as a gum digger, and was last soon swimming down stream towards the embankment. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased were drowned consequent on the flood that swept the valley, which was caused by very excessive rain. Later. Tho Hon. J. G. Coates reached Huarau to-day. and visited the flooded area. He" conferred with tho engineer regarding immediate relief for the sufferers. He also inspected some of the damage done to the roads and bridges. The Wainu road is most seriously affected, and it is estimated that it will take £4000 to repair this road alone.