A BIG-HEARTED RESPONSE

Evening Star, Issue 18258, 24 April 1923, Page 6

A BIG-HEARTED RESPONSE

Aftermath of the Great Flood STOWES OF THE REFUGEES THE WATERS RECEDING NORTH TRAINS GET THROUGH Thtiugh there has bean a good deal of rain since yesterday morning, the outlook Is now more promising. The city is clear, and in the suburbs the flood waters are abating. The response of the public to the appeal on behalf of the destitute has been a bright spot in tho flood desolation. Many stories, oxciting and pathetic, are recorded below.

SALVATION ABHY'S PAST GREAT WORK AMO WONDERFUL help, a DUNEDIN RISES TO THE OCCASION ONCE AGAIN. An hour spent in the Salvation Army Barracks this morning was an eye-opener. As that energetic, bustling, ibut always kindly officer, Ensign Coombs, remarked, “It’s wonderful, the confidence people have in the Army at times like these.” A steady stream of men, women, and children, bearing parcels of clothing, baskets of food, sacks of vegetables —everything that could possibly be needed flowed into tho central hall. And just as steadily was the clothing distributed to the waiting ones and to those who were upstair*, in tho comfortable, warm class room. _ And invariably was tho tine giving spirit revealed. “Who is this from, plea-so? i asks tho Ensign, “ Oh, never mind; it s some scenes I thought might only some clothing,’’ or, “its just so on. A pound note is thrust into ♦ho officer's hand —“AtiuU know what to do with it ” being the only comment. And thus it goes on, this heart-warming exhibition of true chanty. Upstairs families are cared for, the tag class room being utilised as dining and recreation room during tho day and a dormitory for mothers and children at night, while tho married couples arc accommodated in tho smaller class rooms, which form ideal little nooks for the pinpose. Everyone is warm and dry and as happy as their unfortunate circumstances will permit. Though the influx of foil: needing succor lias not ceased since early Sunday night, tho barracks have never been overcrowded, tor the reason that the more fortunate dwellers on the higher levels are coming forward and lakinb the homeless ones to temporary shelter. “ I can take a mother and two or three children,” one lady said tins morning; another had three spare beds; a third would find room for a married couple; one occupier of a largo house surprised tho Ensign by dcclarm" that die would take a mother with half a dozen children, and he glad to do it. The telephone is constantly conveying otters ox help in this and other directions. CLINGING TO WINDOW SILL. EXCITING EXPERIENCE. Speaking to some.of the homeless, the reporter was told several exciting experiences. Ono old couple, who lived in a small house in tho vicinity of Ft. Andrew street, were awakened from their early sleep on Sunday by tho gurgling rush ot water through the room. They rose, and found that the street was flooded over doorstep level. But they did except place a fow of their poor belongings on tho table. Still tho water rose, and still they trusted to a subsidence coming at any moment. It didn’t come, howoicr, until ‘ the old couple, now _ hopelessly trapped, wore hard put to it to keep their heads above water. When at last rescuers arrived tho old man vns up .0 his elbows in tho water, while his aged partner found a precarious foothold on the window sill, and clung to the windowframe. Tho old dog shared this island of refuge, ami sat shivering and mclaiTdimy. " MO PLAGE LIKE HOME." An 0 1 for case was that of a woman with five children living in a two-story house in tho snmo vicinity, When tho ■wmx-oi caroo in they shifted upstairs, and sat at tho ■window all night the iloou rise higher and higher until it cnAeiod' the mantelpiece in the room below. IJvory tiling was ruined there, and even in tho upstairs portion tho rain had found entrance, and the fear was ever present that the ancient and none-too-etablc house next door would collapse and bring their homo to min also._ Next morning tho occupants wero carried out by men who waded waist-high to tho scone. This woman, telling her experiences this morning. begged to be allowed to go back home with “"two of tho youngest.” “But it won’t bo fit for you to live there yet,” said tho Ensign. “ Oh, wo’ll bo all might,” said the mother; and, turning to the reporter : “ There’s no place like home, even if it’s poor.” “And half under water,” added tho reporter. SOOTH DUNEDIN INCIDENTS. Two young Army lieutenants_ aro in having a snack after rescue work in South Dunedin, They are enthusiastic in spite ot an almost all-night spell on Sunday and long hours since. They tell of sad circumstances; of homes where tho old and poor occupants wero literally washed out; of tho pathetic clinging to these inundated cribs that have served them as homes down the long years. But they are voting enough, those lieutenants, to soo tho lighter side of the situation, too. They tell of one aged couplo who were st-and'-ing in their partially submerged homo and positively refused to leave unless tho old horse th'a-fc was housed in the dilapidated stable at tho bade was also taken. At the moment this was impossible, and, the liontenants’ persuasive powers failing to shift the old people’s resolution, they had to bo left in tho meantime. “ Ono woman we had to get out of her home,’’ said tho younger officer, “ was a whopper, and- you should have seen ns too staggering through the knee-high water hearing our burden. Wo had to get a third- helper to hoist her into the cam.” Two other women-, in their anxiety to ■get out of it, literally leapt at tho offered shoulders of tho Salvationist, with the result that ho all but collapsed’ in 3ft of water with his passenger. A third house visited was found to ho occupied by an old couple—tho man eightv-ninc and tho woman eighty-three, the latter paddling about distressfully in a foot of water trying to rescue the little familiar things ot tho home. The man was in the corner nursing a foot inflicted with gout. They wero Both carried out and taken to the Army Barracks. Thus is the rescue work being carried on by tho big band of Salvation Army officers, as well as by men and women, too, who do not wear tho rod band. It’s great work. WAIPORI OUT OP DANGER. Mr M. Henderson, city electrical engineer, was advised this morning that the spillway on the Waipqri weir had become less troublesome, the water having dropped from 9ft at 2 p.m. yesterday to sft at 7

THE RELIEF DEPOTS AT OLD POST OFFICE. BREAD WANTED URGENTLY. The depot at the old Post- Office looked like a draper’s on bargain day this morning. The office staff was busy registering offers of accommodation, sending out for refugees, who are still coming in from the flooded areas, and receiving donations in cash and goods. In the store behind women were busily engaged arranging and despatching gifts of clothing, of which tho depot has received large supplies from private homes. Tho food merchants and traders seem to be responding generously, and aro sending in sugar, meat, cheese, butter, tinned provisions, and such like, all of which speedily disappear, being delivered to those in need, or handed over to Mr Halliday’s department, which has vans at work distributing food in the flooded areas Loth north and south. In a spare moment the Rev. Y. G. Bryan King made an appeal for more food and clothing, and especially for bread, which, lie said, was the chief need at the present moment. Mr King expressed liis sinccrest thanks to tho superintendent of the Telephone Exchange for the prompt manner in which ho had a telephone installed, and his unbounded admiration for tho way in which the attendants at the Exchange met all calls under such trying circumstances.

Offers of help, he said, came from all classes of the community, rich and poor alike vieing with each other in their endeavor to meet the unprecedented demands for sympathetic assistance. “Wo were inundated with persons offering their assistance. The way in which motorists, carters, and expressmen took part in tho rescue work under Mr Halliday was simply wonderful. The city merchants sent in lorry loads of groceries, etc., without which wo would have been unable to supply food to the scores of families provided for. Several expresses spent tho whole day yesterday in carrying food, and wellknown social workers in errands of mercy. Wo _wantl enormous supplies of food, clothing, and blankets to cope with tho demands which must be met.”

Up to 11 o’clock £l4O had been handed into Hfo depot by people who made their gifts anonymously, and homos liad been found for 10 refugees. So far there scorns to have been no difficulty in finding accommodation, and the rescued people are cheerfully making the best of the situation, though leaving their own homes behind them at the mercy of the water. Indeed, it has been found difficult to persuade the people to leave their houses, even after the water has made an entry, and food is being distributed in such cases.

Shakedowns wero provided in St. Matthew's Schoolroom for as many as could be accommodated. Mr Halliday had fifty cars, six lorries, and twenty B press vans out yesterday to bring in refugees. He is finding difficulty to-day in securing vans for tho work of delivering food, which began again at breakfast time this morning. Mr King states that several rescue parties were sent out to-day to bring in families in specially serious circumstances, and further accommodation for homeless people is still required. The fruiterers sent along $ load of fruit and vegetables. The Home Science School was crowded again for breakfast and dinner to-day, and good work is being done by tho students there. ' DRAINAGE ENGINEER'S : , STATEMENT ALLEGATIONS DENIED. EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BEING DONE. In company with the mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), Mr 11. C. Campbell (chairman of the Harbor Board), and Mr Wilkie (engineer of tho Harbor Board), tho city engineer and engineer to tho Drainage Board (Mr W. D. M‘Cardie) this morning inspected tho foreshore area in tho vicinity of tho Flat and Musselburgh to consider a proposal that a channel should bo dug along tho Queen’s drive, under tho Anderson Bay lino, and out to tho foreshore. This matter, stated Mr M'Gurdio to a reporter, was very carefully considered, and it was unanimously decided that it was not a practicable proposal. Mr M'Gurdio denied the statement attributed to him that ho had ridiculed this proposal when it was suggested. It had been gone into and found not to be practicable. In the meantime everything that it was possible to do to get the water away was being done, and the now conduit on tho foreshore, Vijiich was the great obstruction to tho how to the harbor, had been pierced in a great many places. This had increased the flow very much, and the water would be got awa-y ae quickly as possible. Along tho foreshore channels had been cut up to tho intercepting sowers, and the water was now rushing through every one of them. Mr M'Curdio slated that Mr Wilkio (Harbor Board engineer), who lived in the flood area, and was himself flooded, (reported a fall in the flood waters of the FflTfc since the peak of 4£in. Dunedin was not likely to have such a flood again, as it was not likely that water would again come from Green Island as it had done to make the flood much more severe on the Flat. Mr M'Curdio also had something to say regarding a statement that it had just become known by tjio Drainage Board yesterday that tho sluice gate at tho St. Hilda storm-water channel at tho commencement of the Rortobello road had been blocked ever since tho rain had’ started, and that it had only then been released. This statement was characterised by Mr M'Curdio to bo both untrue and unfair. This sluice gate, which was at tho end of Bay View road, was most carefully watched during the whole progress of the flood, and the moment it became necessary to lift it the gate was lifted. It could bo -ascertained when to lift tho gate or otherwise as soon as the water rose on one side or the other. The fall of the water was now increasing hour by hour, and in two or three days most of the roads would be clear, unless another storm sets in. In- the meantime, no water was coming in from Green Island, and tho -pumps were taking out all that the sewers brought in. Tho water was also being taken off the Flat by letting it down tho manholes in the l&eeUk

In regard to the water which accumulated about the end of St. Andrew street and vicinity, Mr M'Curdio said it Was duo to the filling in of the harbor, thin having taken away the fall. A tunnel which had been used by tho old Drainage Board to carry power lines had been cleaned out at a great of trouble and expense and connected with tho present system. It was by tho use of this tunnel that the water "from the St. Andrew street area had boon got away. THE RAINFALL. BY MEASUREMENT, 8.44 in UP TO 8.30 a.m. TO-DAY. Mr G. Railton, of tho Lands and Survey Department, reported yesterday that the rainfall as measured by his gauge up to 8.30 a.m. was B.2in. This morning, at 8.50 o’clock, ho found 42 points recorded. This makes a total from, Saturday afternoon till this morning of 8.44 in, or as nearly as possible B|m. RAINFALL GREATEST EVER RECORDED. INTERESTING COMPARISONS. Tho rain which fell during Sunday shows tho greatest fall ever recorded in the history of Dunedin. At the Town Hall this morning a reporter was able to see records which go back as far as 1851. Since that time up to tho present there had been one day showing over sin for twenty-four hours, 'five days showing over 4in, sixteen days with over Sin; but not ono day with over 6in. Tho rain gauge at the pumping station 9.lin for the twenty-four hours ending 9 o’clock yesterday morning. During 1886, on August 18 and 19, the rainfall was respectively 4.26 in and4.6oinj during 1892, on February 8, at was 5.4 i n; and during 1500, on November 18, 4.48 in were recorded. These were the previous heaviest -rainfalls, but they are all a good deal below the rainfall for Sunday. WADING TO WORK. Tho waters covering the St, Hilda flat and Musselburgh had not greatly assuaged last evening. A motor car churn jug up tho waves of Bay View road might nave been a paddle steamer from a distance, and a beat, tethered to a telegraph post in Royal crescent, increased the exotic appearance of that prospect. Not many of the breadwinners 01 the most submerged parts of this area got into town to work till tho afternoon. When they made their journey to what had become (he mainland, the usual procedure was to wade, perhaps for half a mile, in old clothes donned for tho purpose, carrying in a bag a change of raiment, which could bo donned at the works or office. But tins meant too much to carry for a considerable number, and men and. women alike could bo seen yesterday afternoon returning to or sallying from their island homes barelegged and barefooted, exceptfor boots. Children enjoyed tho novel, amphibious conditions to the full. Over large areas, whero the water did not actually invade many houses, it required only to rise three or four inches to do so. Scores of families were kept, therefore, in a lively suspense all day yesterday, and wero not sure when they turned into their bods last night that they would not step out of them into water this morning. Those only were free from misgivings who had made an early evacuation of their dwellings, and in ono not inconsiderable street in Musselburgh every house yesterday was deserted. This morning the waters had subsided appreciably, but not to any pronounced extent. OLD LADY OOLLAPSES. BOY SCOUTS LIVE UP TO REPUTATION. Two small Boy Scouts performed _ a prompt and plucky deed yesterday, which has earned -the highest praise from all who witnessed tho incident. An old lady between seventy and eighty years of age, was trying to negotiate tho footpath in M‘Brid-o street, South Dunedin, when tho flood was at its height about 10 a.m. She was seen struggling through the water, which was knee* deep, and, becoming exhausted, collapsed and disappeared in the water. She was unable to rise, and the two Scouts rushed to her assistance. Hex weight was too much for tho little fellows to carry, hut they held her up by the shoulders, and this saved her from a situation which, in view of her ago and exhaustion, might have cost her life. Tho boys then struggled with their burden into Broughton street, dragging her through tho water for a distance of about 100yds. A passer-by thou came to their assistance, and she was held above water until a milk cart came along, in which sho was placed and convoyed to the homo of friends. Tho old lady lost consciousness shortly after sho fell 1 in M‘Brido street. Tim incident was witnessed by several women, who state that but for tho boys’ action sho would have been drowned. TRAi SERVICE WORKING POLL. MANY DIFFICULTIES, Mr W. H. Mackenzie, city tramways manager, stated this morning that tho service was now practically in full operation. Th-e only exception was that the care could not quite reach the Tahuna terminus on account of tho water and tho silt.

The staff was not able to use tho Castle street- route this morning. Water was up till then lying 2ft Gin deep on parts of the tram lino bclwoen the railway station and Hanover street. A motor car that was used yesterday afternoon to try tho roa-d for tho cars had to be hauled out. Tho trouble in such circumstances is as to the water getting into the motors of the oars. The staff took a risk of that sort in getting to St. Kilda about 4 p.m. yesterday, but tho effort was successful and without any bad results. Silt has been a great trouble at tho north end. The only difficulty now to contend with, so far as the city linos aro concerned, is tho water in tho pits at tho sheds. Tho men canno.t got any work done under tho cars. But a special pump was being installed this morning, and good results wore expected. There is a pump belonging to the sheds, and ordinarily available, but it- is run_ by a motor, and' the motor is out of action by being under water. The Mornington line has been giving a little anxiety, not because of too much but too little water. The city supply to that district has been reduced owing to some break, and a tank supply has had to bo resorted to so as to keep up steam, wherewith to keep the Mornington engines going. TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. STILL IN WORKING ORDER. Mr Vcitch, the district engineer, told a reporter this morning that the telegraph and telephone trunk lines wero still working satisfactorily. There aro still a few subscribers’ telephones out of order, this being duo to •water having got into the aerial cables. Such a happening is quite usual in very wet weather. Tho remedy is to dry out tho cables by air-blowing, and that is being done as quickly as tho apparatus can do it. ON TSIE FLAT. WATER STILL ISOLATING HOMES. Ail sorts of abnormal depths could bo found even to-day on low-lying Gcction« about St. Kilda and the -Sunshine district, and some of the streets were still so submerged as to make it a matter of wading to get to and from residences. One ox tho worst places was between Bowen and Ferguson streets, close to Culling Park, where the flood water was quite 2ft deep at breakfast time.

Culling Park was under water. So were the bowling greens. St. Clair croon, was full and the water over the path. Tahuna Park stands as the exception. It has been quite dry all along. AID FROM A BOAT, Residents of tho district round about Nprinanby street, *St. Hilda, are lould in their praises of Mr Leslie Evans, a young man, who from tho first rising yesterday morning went about in a boat, ringing a bell as an invitation to isolated families if they wished for help. Ho was on the job up to 11 ol’clock last night. THE FLAT’S ANNOYANCE PATIENCE MUCH HEEDED. The two forms of flood relief work seem to present a marked contrast on the points of expedition, efficiency, and organisation. What the sufferers require is as prompt return to their inundated dwellings as possible and temporary food and shelter in tho meantime. Organisation for this latter purpose has been purely voluntary and necessarily improvised on tho spur of tho moment. But it has made remarkable headway. Ono wishes the game could bo said about progress in the abatement of tho flood waters themselves. An organised municipal department has long existed for this very purpose, just as much as it exists for the prevention (if possible) of tho occurence of floods. Tho public is anxious to know why this form. of relief is so slow in coming. All kinds of rumors have been current as to mistakes, past and present, on the part of tho drainage department. In reply, it can be stated that tho staff is (doing everything possible with tho means at its disposal to lower the flood waters. Going further back, it may also be said, that the system was in as good order as tho maintenance gangs could make it when tho downpour l>egan. Never have the sewers had such thorough cleaning as during the past twelve months. Early on Sunday they were all discharging at full capacity. As the rain continued the contest to convoy and discharge what was necessary went steadily against them. As an example’ of what is being done, tho drainage department ami tho Harbor Board are co-operating to relievo the Elat of its surface water. The main intercepting sewer along tho foreshore discharges into a big sump at tho pumping station, and the pumps there are working at capacity witbo'ut perceptibly gaining on tho inflow. Running about parallel with this sewer, on the harbor side, is a stormwater conduit, which receives the storm water from that part of tho Elat between Cargill road and Bay View road, and discharges it into the head of tho harbor, practically shut off from tidal action bj the Harbor Board’s retaining wall. But unfortunately tho outfall of tins conduit is such that no rapid flow is possible. Breaches are being made in it at intervals, and temporary outfalls dug to accelerate discharge into this enclosed area. Also, in the event of the pumps lowering the contents of tho main intercepting sewer sufficiently, a connection between the two conduits is made, so that power can assist Gravitation in reducing tho Elat flood waters. Also discharging alongside tho stormwater conduit outfall is another stormwater conduit from the Musselburgh area,, tho lowest-lying portion of all. Complaint has been made that a flap valve, swinging on a hinge at this latter outfall, prevented its discharging flood water. This is untrue. As Mr Richan, inspector of works for the Drainage Board, explained, tins is an automatic device closing only when the flow lends to be backward—i.e., from the harbor up along the conduit. If it were shut it would be doing the useful work of preventing tidal water aggravating the flood m Musselburgh—preventing bad becoming worse. But the flap has been open, permitting tho flood water to got to the harbor enclosure, and, as a mailer of fact, it is now tied up with wire to demonstrate its noninterference.

It must be admitted that had money been expended on the outfalls of these storm-water conduits, instead of nearer their beginning (as ratepayers demanded), their discharge would be greater and flood relief bo more speedy. Information from an excellent source is to the effect that for this reason the exit is actually higher than the invert level some distance back. Some of the later drainage construction since the merging of the hoard in the council, as well as certain aspects of the handling of the system ns a whole, tend to suggest that the alteration did not make for efficiency. THE DENTAL SCHOOL MAIN BUILDING I INTACT. TEMPORARY EXTENSON GONE BODILY. The position ns to the Dental School on the banks of (ho Leith, is as follows : The main building is standing all right and lias not suffered. The two-storied extension is a little undermined, but with care will probably escape serious injury. Men wore on duly at it until 10 o’clock last night placing sand bags in position. , The third part of the premises, a temporary one-story structure of galvanised iron, lias been swept away. It measured 29 x 28, and contained tho mechanical laboratory, the students’ common ram. the dark room, ninf the lavatory. This building lias gone, and with it a lot of earth. MAILS AND TRAINS. NORTH LINS CLEARED. SOUTH TKAIN PEACHES MOSGIEL. The north line is clear. Tho usual mail from tho North Island arrived last night, along with a letter mail from San Francisco. On tho southern lino the trains are running to Mosgiol only. It is reported that tho lino lias boon seriously damaged further south, ami several bridges washed away. Tho Post Office delivered mails at Port Chalmers and Mosgiol yesterday by motor, and despatched a car this forenoon with a letter mail for Ilalclutha-. The mail will bo distributor] through tho district as opportunity offers. THE TAIEBI. [Fnori Ook Own Correspondent.] To-day tho position of tho Taicri is much tho same as vesterday. With tho exception of Momona, tho flood lias receded about Ift in depth. _ By the gauge near Elm Grove tho river lias shown a drop of Ift, and is slowly going back. The flood waters havo found their way to Momona and tho residents thorn aro being removed in limits and drays. As ft local man said “ Our heads aro above water—that’s all.” Tho prospects are not too good, as rain still continues to fall. In Mosgiol tho Hood waters havo dropped considerably. A number of the roads aro above water again, _ and traffic is possible. As a train service is running to-day, the people were able to pot to Dunedin to their employment—a decided relief after being cooped up for tho last two days in flooded areas. Breaks have occurred in various embankments, and tho land _ adjoining flooded. In many cases this will lie until removed by pumping or some similar method. Mr Mitchell, of Outram, has had tho misfortune to lose about 150 sheep. Some of the Otokia farmers lost grain that was swanked by tho flood. 1

TO THE SOUTH WATER LOWERING AT WAIPORL OUTRAM ALSO BELIEVED. BUT THE PLAIN THREATENS TO BECOME A LAKE. Mr B. B. Couston, Taieri County engineer, says that yesterday morning the East Taieri embankment was breached, and in the afternoon breaks c.cumd in tho embankment on the west side of tho river between Outran! and ADanton. Those to some extent retarded the rise in the river lower down the plain, but, notwithstanding, tho river rose at Allanton from 9ft 6in at 6.30 a.m. to 15ft 6in at 1 p.m., and after that very slowly to 16ft at 5 p.m. At Otokia the river rose quickly from midday till mid-afternoon, and thereafter at an exceptional rate, and before dark had reached and overflowed tho bank at what is known as “Tho Big Break” near the Otolda railway bridge. After dark another break was reported below the railway bridge, and v'or'd was received from Henley that although the lake embankment had not been breached, the waters were everywhere overflowing it, and tho height of the lake and rivers were near the record mark. From what could bo gathered from Otokia, the farmers had removed the stock to the higher levels, except those, of course, fortunate enough to possess paddocks above tho flood level. Ono loss of fifty sheep was reported, however, those being the property of a man who had put 100 head on the low levels of Berkeley during Sunday. It is also understood that Mr Bryant, of Otokia, who had wheat waiting on trucks at Otokia station, had £SOO worth damaged. Mr Couston added ttjft his reports this morning showed a drop of the river at Uutram to 1511. Ho further remarked that the outlook in the then conditions—ra.m still falling—> was not too good, and that ho would not be surprised if by night the whole countryside from a mile south of M'-sgiel to \Vaihola, was turned into a vast lake, excepting on the high ridges. POM AH AKA BRIDGE SAGGED. UNSAFE FOR TRAFFIC. Advice lias been received in Dunedin that the bridge over the Pomahaka River on the Waiwora-Clydevalo road has sagged oft, and is unsafe for traffic. " Tho new structure, in process of building, is standing firm. The river is falling. JOTTINGS. DAMAGE AT PURAKANUI. A correspondent writes: Tho incessant rain during the week-end caused considerable damage to the roads at Purakaimi. The road at the. Point is completely blocked by slips, Millar’s road also Deing impassable. The road from the railway to the township is impassable Giving to a washout, the bridge being carried into the river. Haywards’ Point road is safe, hut tho Murdering Beach road ia compMcly blocked. The water entered tho Riverside Stores on Sunday, but, an outlet being quickly made, no damage was done. Alf the other cribs in the neighborhood escaped damage. RAIN IN CENTRAL OTAGO. (Jur Cromwell correspondent wires that rain commenced to fall late on Saturday evening, and continued until yesterday, when it cleared. Again'last evening rain fell heavilv for several hours. The weather was better this morning. There were no floods, and the river only rose slightly. WATERSIDERS HEAVY LOSERS. About twenty-seven membcirs of tho Dunedin Waterside Workers’ Union suffered considerable loss as a result of the flood. Tho residences of tho men affected aro situated in various parts of South Dunedin, Harbor terrace, Cumberland street, and St. Andrew street. Tho men and their families had an anxious time during tho height of the flood. The women and children had to bo carried, in most oases, from the flooded dwellings to a place of safety. Most of these men, who have been ‘hard hit, were engaged for some time in rescuing articles ot furniture, and they were therefore not able to bo present when a. call was made for labor yesterday and to-day to work the various .ships in port. DENTAL GASS FOUND. A dental ease with a full set of instru'moots has been picked up on the Peninsula. side of tho harbor. It is thought that, it mav have been washed away from the Dental School, which lost valuable equipment. NORTH-EAST HARBOR. Owing to Big slips Ira flic is completely suspend ad on tho lower beach road, and it will probably take some weeks to clear away all the debris. The residents are depending on the steamer service. Telephonic communication has been completely cut oil, while tho electric light has also failed in some cases. AN ANCIENT SUPERSTITION. A novel theory of tho inundation’s cause is one which would connect it with the execution of the Maori Tuhi. “HanfJ a Maori, and you'll have a seven-days flood.” is a .saying that has been recalled by tho superstitious. Noiv, it is added, wc arc gelling it. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL APPEAL. The at. Vincent Da Paul Society will h' "I'iiteful for don,at ions of clothes, which may be left at St. Joseph's Hall, Rattray sheet, care of Nurse Toys, The need is great, ns (he members on their rounds find, and greater want will he experienced when people arc getting back to their homes. The society is doing its best, vi common with others, to relieve immediate want. Ur cent cases may apply to Nurse Boys, Rattray street, as the president (Mrs Jackson)’ has been flooded out of her Kmc in Leith street. OFFER BY THEATRICALS. The theatrical profession is, as usual, in the forefront when assistance « required. The mavnr (Mr J. A Douglas) received offers to-day of benefit entertainments for to-morrow night, and granted permissiwa to the theatres to open in the evening for tho purpose, SLIPS ON EGLINTON ROAD. A number of very bad slips occurred during Sunday night on Lglinton road, and the road lias Loon temporarily closed for vehicular traffic. Early on Monday morning a motor ear, driven by Mr Wraight, which was delivering the morning newspaper, wont oil the road and was embedded in the clay on the side of the bank. Fortunately it did not overturn, ami tho dnvc.r ana another with him received only minor injuries. The car was token out'yesterday afternoon. GENERAL. In order to continue the delivery of food and meals in the flooded areas the mayor has arranged for some of the chops to remain open to-morrow (Anz.ie Day). The mavor has received a donation of fiftv tons of Kaitangata coal from the New Zealand Coal and Oil Company. Jackson’s Hotel has notified that it will supply free meals on his order. , The Maori llill Presbyterian Church offers the Jamieson Hall ‘for purposes of n( ..,. on ,.,,i,datii’.g those who are temporarily homeless. , , in an advertisement appearing in this Kuo Mr G. S. Thomson requests that all wilibm workers ehonki roll up at 7.15 tonight, at the Trades Hall, to _ form a workers’ relief committee to assist those who cannot afford to replace bedding and clothing lost through the floods. Tho meeting will be over in time for workers to attend the Labor rally in the King’s Theatre. A good deal of work has been done on the Portobello road, on which many slips occurred, and it is expected to have it cleared by to-morrow night.

(Continued from page. 6.) FLOOD DISTRESS 'EVENING STAR' FUND. There is urgent need for immediate measures of succor for the many families who have lost furniture and effects in the flooding of their properties. The ‘Star’ has decided, to open a relief fund, and subscriptions forwarded to this office will be acknowledged ns hereunder and applied for the benefit of necessitous cases. Contributions should bo sent at onco:— SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVED. ‘ Evening Star ’Go £25 0 0 Sooullar and Chisholm, Ltd. ... 25 0 0 i\ E, Olapportou 5 0 0 mors RELIEF FUND The mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) has received direct the following contributions to tho flood relief fund :—■ R. Hudson and Co £2OO 0 0 A.S.P 25 0 0 Columba College staff and _ pupils ... ’ 15 15 0 Solomon, Gascoigne, and Sinclair ... 10 10 0 W. A. Scott 10 10 0 Arthur Barnett’s staff ... ... 10 10 0 D. Larnach ... ... 3 5 0 Tho mayor is inviting tho following to act with him ns a provisional committee to administer tho fund:—Messrs E. A. Rosovcar, T. Somerville, C. Speight, F. U. Gumming, Rev. Y. (I. Bryan King, Mrs S. M. Park, and Miss Runciman. The heads of the social service associations will bo invited to act as an Investigation and Recommendation Committee to report on requirements to tho above committee. Mill BECOMES A DRIZZLE. THEN SHOWERS. NO DRYING OVERHEAD. WATER DRAINING SLOWLY. Early yesterday afternoon the rain recommenced in and about Dunedin in tho form of a greasy drizzle from tho westward, and that was the sort of weather experienced right through the night, and up to 10 o’clock this morning, when a light breeze cleared off tho stagnant vapor and made things a little brighter by substituting showers for a general soak. There was no drying from sun or wind, but, tho downfall being light, gravitation sufficed to lower the flood water at a slow rate. THE TRAINS NORTHERN SERVICE RESUMED. IMPEDIMENTS UNDER CONTROL. SOUTH LINS BLOCKED BEYOND MOSGIEL. CENTRAL MAY BE CLEARED TO-DAY. Tho two slips on the north lino that were giving trouble—one between Grosan’s tunnel and Mihiwnka tunnel, tho other at Sawyers Bay—were got under control yesterday afternoon. Tho first train to got through was the one from Oamaru, arriving about 3.57. The first to leave Dunedin was a train for Port Chalmers at 4.18. Tho train for Oamaru was despatched at 5.55. Tho express from Christchurch an-Tvtd only about a quarter of an hour late. This morning the normal service on the northern lino was resumed. The 11.15 express carried a big load of passengers. Tho reopening of this line was made possible as tho result of very hard work on tho part of the staff and the workmen. On tho south line a train was despatched from Clinton at 6.45 a.m. yesterday, but after going as far as Warcpa it turned back, as tho officials found that they could not proceed any further on account of slips on the line. A train left Lawrence at 5.25 a.m. with tho intention of going to Milton, but it was found impossible to travel beyond Wnitahuna. This morning tho southern line was working between Dunedin and Mosgiel, using the double lino between Dunedin and Kensington and between Wiiigatui and Mosgiel, and a single line (tho southern one) between Kensington and Wingatui. Tho big slip at tho Burnside end of tho Caverslmm tunnel was a veryformidable job to tackle. This morning it still blocked tho one set of rails, but the engineering staff managed to clear tho other set. Eevond Mosgiel, at latest information, tho line was still blocked by slips and washouts all tho way to Clinton, and no trains could even try to get through. _ Tho Outran), Lawrence, and Gatlins branches were also unusable. On the Otago Central line the washout near Mount Allan was 20ft wide and very deep, but it was expected to have the road cleared to-day. city” streets""clear. From the Ocean Bench to Nonnanby the main street was to-day quite clear of water, and hone was seen lying about st. Andrew street of Hanover street, or any of the thoroughfares on the lower east side.