THE WANGANUI FLOOD.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 128, 31 May 1904, Page 6

THE WANGANUI FLOOD.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THM COUNTRY. As at Wanganui, so at Pipiriki — tho 25th May ilood whs a lecoid ono (wiys the WniiKanui Chronicle). Tho ilood water came down with little. warning. In tho vicinity of the steamer-wharf seme 15,000 ft of timber was waiting lor carriage down tho stream. Tho htrenm, howevi-r, w.is liungiy, and didn't take on wailing for steamers, but took a. littlo journey on its own account. Then, again, tho buildings nt one time owned by Mr. iManson and purchased by Messrs. Il.itrick and Co., known as tho " Golden ("late," the butter store owned by Jde&si's. Cuiiunin.M and llutrick, and the River Trust's abed (with some of its contenks), have been swept clean away. These buildings, were above what wiik considered fiom past experience a perfectly safo flood level. The coal hulk, ono time known a« the P.S. CoHeen, belonging to llatrick and Co., and moored at Pipiriki, broke away from her moorings on 'Wednesday night, evidently having been struck by the debris from the buildings. Tlie River Trust's punt at lvoiro \va*> washed down the river and wrecked. Tho punt and accessories a.re valued a>t £400 — and the shed mid contents at Pipiriki £100. Hatrick and Co.'s loss at Pipiriki and Wanganui cannot be less than £500. Tho Chronicle's "special," writing on 28th May, Rtnies that R&etihi is isolated. The Pipiriki road is completely blocked, there being twenty-two large slips between Pipiriki and RaetLhi. It is estimated that it will be eight wcoks before traffic in restored- The mail is not expected through for ten days. OrJy twenty workmen are employed. Tlie. flood* oa-uncd serious damage to two su«pctiE.iou bridgon over the Mnkotuku (including the one rccontly butlt. by public subscription). It was carried away Utid the coadi driver (Saxton) had a narrow esc(n>e whon testi»»g it hy croeshig it on horseback prior to entering with the mail coaoh, owing ■to tho ford being scoured out. The lloraM adds that the flood caused a lot of damage nt Wangaohu, and Akwsre. VV. R»t«hio, Flotoker, and Craig Bros, aro heavy losers. The former lost somewhere abont 200 sheep, whilst tho others akxi lost a considerable number. Tho greateßl, loss, however, hns been occasioned by tho silt., which hns covered tho gm.ss to a depth of noms two or three feet, and this means that winter feed will bo vory Hcaree, if tvkovo is any at all. The whole vnllej' is n, sea of mud or silt, and presents a very woeful sight, as them is Hcarcoly any grass to be scon on the flat. Tlie railway bridge near Silverhope Station on tho Hunterville Brnnch Ivine, which was damaged in tho recont flood, has now been restored and ordinary traffic has been resumed by tho Railway Department. The Department hns had repairing gangs working night and day to effect this.