The Floods.

Hastings Standard, Issue 113, 5 September 1896, Page 2

The Floods.

The heavy rainfall which has prevailed throughout the district for the past week has left the low-lying portions of the town in a state of flood. The Council are to be congratulated upon the almost perfect drainage system in the borough. Those rains may be taken as a test, and, with the exception of the lower levels where the capacities of the culverts are overtaxed, the water-tables are fully equal to the demands made upon them. The state of Hastings after such weather as we have had recently would be terrible to think of were it not for the drainage. The streets and paddocks at the rear of the railway sheds are more or less under water, and the flood in Nelson-street reaches a depth of about 3ft. Parts of the Havelock-road, especially in the neighborhood of Tucker's fellmongery, is inundated, and almost reaches the axle - trees of passing vehicles. Mr Anderson's coach from Napier met with a nasty experience last night. At the other side of the Karamu bridge there is a deep gully which was flooded to a considerable depth, and Mr Anderson, being deceived by the darkness as to the amount of water through which he had to drive, dashed boldly into it. The water rose at once to his knees as he was sitting on the box, and it was only the strength of the horses which brought the coach safely through. As it was no injury resulted except damage to some goods which Mr Anderson had on board, so that he has every reason to congratulate himself on the escape of himself and his team. The loss in lambs throughout the country is very heavy, and some of the dwellers [in the outlying districts are becoming alarmed at the rapid rise of the rivers.

Through the courtesy of Mr Haszard we received the following At 9 a.m. this morning the rivers Waipawa and Tuki Tuki were in full flood and -were reported still rising, but the Ngaruroro was subsiding. At 11 a.m. the Tuki Tuki had risen slightly, but the rain had decreased and the Ngaruroro was going down Steadily. The trains all ran to time this morning with the exception of that from Danevirke, which was an hour and a quarter late owing to slips on various parts of the line. At the time of writing the weather shows indications of a break, and the water is subsiding. [From Our Own Correspondent] Omahu. This day. All the low lands are under water. The Natives are busily engaged trying to drain their paddocks in crop. All traffic is stopped on the OrnahuTunanui road. The Chairman of the County Council had to leave his buggy on the road, and ride through over the hills. The Omahu bridge is standing well. Ciive, Noon.

Clive is quite safe. The rivers are only moderately high, and there is nothing but surface-water about.

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH

Blenheim, Sept. I. Blenheim and the surrounding district were visited by a flood, one of the largest inundations experienced for many years. The water came into the town on Tuesday morning reaching an unprecedented height. It entered the shops and residences and is only now receding slowly from the streets. No exceptional damage has been suffered in the town but a good deal of loss has been occasioned to farmers in the country through the washing out of seeds and a few eases of loss-of sheep are reported. It is exacted that the water will have subsided in most parts to-morrow or the following day.