HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20547, 6 May 1941, Page 11

HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

STOCK LOSSES HEAVY BRIDGES SWEPT AWAY SPECTACULAR RESCUES (Per Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, this day. Heavy rain at the week-end in Dannevirke and district caused the Manawatu River and streams to carry an immense volume of water. On Saturday and up- to 9 a.m. on Sunday 4.64 in. fell, and to 9 a.m. to-day a total of G.SGin. was recorded in Dannevirke.

It is feared that stock losses in the vicinity of the Manawatu River will be fairly heavy, as the water spread over a wide area of flat land near the riverbed.

It is reported that Mr. W. 11. Gaisford, Oringi, lost about 300 head of sheep.

The only damage in the borough was the washing away of the footbridge in Princess street. In the Dannevirke county only one bridge was washed away, this being at Ngapacruru. Many roads, .however, were blocked for traffic in the Mangatoro, Ngapaeruru and Ormondviilc ridings ol the Dannevirke county. Worst In Living Memory In the cast coast area of southern Hawke’s Bay the rainfall was heavier and flooding of a serious nature occurred, being the worst in living memory, after a night of torrential rain in which 12 inches were recorded. Stock losses are expected to run into some thousands, but details are not available. The newly-constructed 100 ft. Akitio bridge, five miles from the mouth of the Akitio River and near Sir Alfred Ransom's property, was carried away at 8 a.m. Another 50ft. bridge also spanning the Akitio River was swept away. This linked Weber and Wimbledon. It is estimated that the Akitio River rose 50ft. in a few hours, being 13ft. higher than, in the record flood in 1937. At Hunter’s Mill, Waione, the men's living quarters were washed away and also many thousands of feet of sawn timber. ! Most of the coastal roads are blocked by slips and some time will elapse before communication is completely restored. Hours On Hayrick An old bath figured in a spectacular rescue of a family marooned on Mr. R, O. Chrisopher's property at Akitio. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Gilmore and two children were isolated by the rising flood waters and they were ferried across the river one at a time in the bath to safety. When the.y saw the waters rising, the Benson family, who were living near the end of the Akitio bridge, which was swept away, sought refuge on the top of a tall hayrick. Mr. and Mrs. Benson and a six-months-old baby spent some miserable hours in their uncomfortable refuge before they were taken to safety by men on horses. The flood waters were up to the roof of their house.

In many instances families clambered on to their house roofs with a few possessions waiting for Hie waters to recede.

The conditions improved considerably during Sunday night with an easing of the rain.