THE FLOOD

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1762, 7 April 1874, Page 2

THE FLOOD

The river continued to rise on Sunday, and during the night, and it was not a matter of surprise that a great portion of the township of Groyraouth was almost entirely submerged yesterday. There must have been a very heavy raiufall up country, because the river Grey was swollen so rapidly as to make it a matter of certainty that its affluents had to bring down immense volumes of water. 'It is hard to Bay whether this great rainfall is likely to be of great use to the Grey Valley district, for we hear of disasters to farms, dams, races, and other private works, the evidences of which were afforded yesterday by floating fionts of houses and other debris which came down the river. Still it may be hoped that this last Pluvial dispensation may direct tho attention of the Government to the absolute necessity of protecting the town against the river. It is not a question of how to do or not to do the thing — it is a matter easily dealt with, and one that can be as easily settled if only common grave sense were allowed its fair field. But the examples we have had certainly do not encourage faith in the virtues or capacities of the Government Engineering ntaff, and we are disposed to think that had the protective works been placed under other hands much damage would have been avoided. Who is it that is responsible for the outlets along the wharf which absolutely occupy the whole structure, the position of the weakeot link of a chain ? Mr O'Connor, a clever and young engineer, laid out these works, and it was supposed and accepted that bis ideas were correct, aud almost removed from criticism. But events have shown that upon the continuance of the stone embankment depends the Bafety of the whole town. The gangways, which we believe were made to suitthe convenience of a few boatmen, have proved to be sources of great danger to the town. Had the stone embankment remained intact from : the head of the town downwards, there would have been little, if any, water running to the back. But, as there was full scope, the current ran merrily through the openings, and made torrents down all the side streets, which were impassable to all but those who had either long water-proof boots or a boat. The river ran much higher than at the last great flood, and it is entirely due to the stone work at the head of the town that the whole of the buildings on the front street were not swept away. As it was, streams of great volume ran down the cross streets, and business was, of course, placed at a standstill. We hear that two or three cottages at the lower end of the town were lifted by the water, and that several othera were in great danger. But, thanks to the volunteer efforts of many spirited people all the residents that were in danger were rescued. The news from up country is I bad indeed. We hear that on all the flat ground the settlers are flooded out, and ' unable to get away. At nine o'clock last night two cows came down the river, and were, as they passed the town, swimming easily, and they made a desperate effort to reach the shore below the Dispatch, but they missed and went.out to uea,