FLOOD THRILLS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10392, 9 May 1927, Page 2

FLOOD THRILLS

WITH THE “SKEETER” FLEET

SCENES IN N.S.W

WINDSOR, April 20. There is no boat at Ricarby’s Creek where the nearly-built concrete bridge is'completely submerged and the temporary structure lias been washed away. But things arc different at McGath’s Hill. • Two enterprising youths owning, a dinghy are laying the foundations of a fortune.

It is impossible for motor traffic to enter Windsor by any approach and most of the cars in desperation find their way.to the bridge over South Creek at McGath’s Hill. There they, are held up, of course, by the flood waters, and must transfer to the “‘mosquito fleet” of one stout vessel, in which the boys row them across half a mile of slimy flood. Takers’ carts and farm vehicles got across safely, many of them carrying grateful passengers. MELONS AND MARROWS. On the green slime float jp'elons and marrows and pumpkins, which thrifty passengers salvage on the slow journey over the hood. Few trips have been made without a cargo or souvenirs. Passengers by the big blue ’bus from Sydney found themselves stranded at Clio- water’s edge, and had to avail themselves of the meagre shipping service.' It took several 'trips to ferry the passengers by the ’bus safely into Windsor. The ’bus waited on the bank for return passengers, who made their connection also in the cockleshell row boat. McKenzie's, the first bridge in the first Muck of the main northern road, is completely under water. A few enterprising motorists tried to cross, but realising that there was more than four feet of water over the bridge, turned tail, and drove back in disgust CARS ACROSS. The Hawkesbury bridge, on the other side of Windsor, is awash, but cars were able to cross in spite of the 23 feet rise in the river, which was the figure announced this afternoon. Logs and refuse have been washed down, and are snagging the stream, but residents are confident tliat the structure will stand any strain which the present flood waters arc likely to put upon it. There were s’gns this afternoon of a drop of a few inches in the river. The Pitt Town residents, mostly market gardeners and farmers, have lost a great deal in produce and crops but the damage has not yet affected house property. Gosper’s spelling stables are high and dry, but the paddocks attached are simply one huge lake, covering acres and acres of pasture.' The horses are covered, but uncomfortable and stand gloomily surveying the waste of waters at their feet.