CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 977, 12 September 1868, Page 3

CHATHAM ISLANDS.

GREAT TIQAL WAVE AND DESTBUC-

TION OF PROPEBTY.

3?B0M OUE OWN CORHESPOSDEHT,

We regret to announce a great destruction of property on the coasts of our island, caused by the approach of a vast tidal wave, such as has never been known within the memory of man, — extending far into the land, and sweeping away everything in, its course.

On Friday, the 13th instant, the day was sunny and pleasant, with a very light breeze from the south-west, and during the day the tide was so low that rocks which had been usually submerged were high and dry. About 1 o'clock a.m. on Saturday morning, the first great wave rushed, in with such force and terrific noise that the very fountains of the deep seemed - broken up. This fortunately served as a premonitory warning, and without doubt prevented the loss of many lives; 1 In ten minutes more, another wave, more terrible than the former, commenced its work of destruction, and, after a like interval, the third and last completed the > catastrophe. Indeed the full wrath of the ocean seemed to battle with the island, in fierce resolve to submerge it. Houses, pahs, and bush in proximity with the shore, were carried away and engulphed by the drawback; but in many instances, human lives were preserved almost by a miracle. At Terake, on the western point of the island, stood the substantial dwelling of Thomas; Osborne Hay, Esq., and the inmates,' Mr. Hay and Mr. Amery (a gentleman who resided with him), had so narrow an escape that it seems a special intervention of providence. On the approach of the first wave, Mr. Amery awoke, and, feeling assured that a tidal wave was approaching, such as had been . adverted to by a scientific writer, he at once aroused his friend Mr. Hay. The second wave was now gathering, and they had barely time to rush from the house, withwhatscantyclothingthey could hastily snatch up, when a vast breaker actually enveloped the mansion, and in another moment the whole was a mass of ruins ; even of a massive stone chimney not one stone was left upon another. Half undressed, the late inmates hastened on to the rising ground, and awaited the approach of a third wave, which came rolling in with most awful grandeur and thousand-fold power, bearing down outbuildings and stout old akeakes, which broke and cracked beneath its fury like matchwood, and sending its weeds and waters high, up the grazing land and into the bush; carrying away young cattle, and scattering the debris of the ruins far away amongst the weeds and bushes of an adjoining swamp. This, however, was the last great wave, and the work of destruction was, over. We regret to say that Mr. Hay has, in addition to the loss, of a well-appointed establishment, had some bales of wool injured and lost a considerable amount in cash ; in fact, the inmates could save neither boot or shoe — nothing, indeed, but the scanty clothing they hastily, put on ; and, on the break of day, they pursued their way, shoeless, to the adjoining settlement of Waitangi West, five miles distant, to find Captain Anderson and his family enjoying a bivouac in the bush, and, like themselves; homeless/ Captain Anderson ■and his family, like Mr. Hay, had been aroused by the first wave ; but, from the position of his dwelling, the force of the sea passed obliquely by, and, moreover, it • was considerably elevated from the beach, and "surrounded by a stone wall. Hence the. work of destruction was less comiplete, and he was enabled to save the most valuable part of his furniture. Here, regret to say, that an inoffensive and ■worthy old man, named Makare, lost his life in endeavouring to save Captain Anderson's whaleboat, which had been "washed away, some two miles distant, to Teraikopakipa Point. He was holding fast to the boat, when an unusual rush of water came in and carried him out. Being a good swimmer, the poor fellow contended fiercely with death, but, getting amongst the kelp, he sank at once. The body was found this morning about half a mile from the spot. Tupuangi is destroyed —two European houses are demolished, The condition of the poor Maoris is most pitiable — nearly all their clothing is gone, and they have lost from two to three nun<Jred pounds in cash. Unfortunately they lad disposed of their cattle and every •other available commodity, in order to raise a fund to pay their expenses to New JZealand ; but all is gone, and they are destitute. The Rifleman is still in Whangeroa,, and some fears were entertained regarding her safety ; but beyond an extraordinary, swell no serious inconvenience was.felti;

By a Maori just arrived from Waitangi we are informed that serious damage has been' -sustained there, and some houses destroyed, but no lives have been lost. Of this, however, we cannot give a succinct detail. The only remaining settlement from whence danger might be apprehended, is Kaingaroa, but intelligence ias reached from that quarter. Without doubt Tupuangi and the west point of the island was most severely visited. Indeed so confident were the Maories of a general deluge, that, when driven from their pa, the whole body encamped on Maunganui, the most elevated spot on the island, about 700 feet above the sea level. Tupuanga, August 16.