RELIEVING THE TENSION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 86, 10 April 1924, Page 10

RELIEVING THE TENSION

"IT'S AN ILL WIND. •< t

(!I TELIGEAPH.—SPECIAL TO THI POST.)

■ AUCKLAND, This Day. Despite gloom which the floods have spread over the devastated areas of the north and the trials and hardships of the settlers and their families, there is a light side that occasionally relieves the tension afid discomfort of these sufferers in the backblocks. An amusing incident occurred at Kaukapakapa just after the floods struck the little ownship. The Waitemata county engineer, Mr. G. A. Jackson, who arrived shortly before the full effect of the deluge was felt, rushed to Dye's store to assist in the rescue of some of the stock before the premises were- inundated. The water rose rapidly, and swept goods off the counter where they had been placed for safety. Meanwhile it became too dangerous.for occupants to remain inside the shop and they sought safety on a piece of high land adjacent. As they stood watching the melancholy, scene they noticed a fairly large wooden bridge coming along on the tide. It was one of numerous structures up north which, although reamed for traffic, had long since bsen condemned, and had only been used at the personal risk of the public: The watchers kept their eyes on this bridge, andr as it was swirled along they saw the old familiar notice sticking high in the air:. "This bridge is dangerous.—Harry Day, chair' man"; but as the structure came nearer a strange sight. \y-is revealed, showing that Mr. Day's opinion was not shared, by all, for the bridge was " literally swarming with live rats that evidently considered it was the only safe- place in the district. Whether it proved the ultimate salvation of the rodents was never known, .for the flood waters carried the bridge on till it .'passed out of sight.. Doubtless the rats had sensed the coming storm, and its accompanying danger, and with that wisdom with whiduthey appear to be endowed they had made the most of a bad job, for at best they had only Hobson's choice. In Waiwera district a placid cow had enough sense to get out of the running water, but unfortunately the hillside upon which it sought safety became gradually .undermined, and despite the poor beast's. efforts it was carried back into,.the..swollen river. However, while there was life there was hope,' and' she began to battle for the shore. After V while she succeeded in ..reaching the embankment, and to the relief of the*set/tiers she managed to scramble ashore, wherp she started cropping the grass; "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," remarked one settler, as he contemplated the destruction of several very old bridges. He pointed out that there had never been- any'lnoney to replace these structures, but now it was a case of "needs must when the Devil drives," for whether thore were rates available or not the bridges would have to be rebuilt. No .-doubt their temporary absence would be inconvenient, but" there was now.more than a sporting change of good structures being erected. ■■