WEATHER IN THE NORTH.

Mataura Ensign, 18 July 1906, Page 3

WEATHER IN THE NORTH.

HEAVY LOSSES OF STOCK. GREAT DAMAGE TO ROADS AND BRIDGES. Per United Press Association. NAPIER. .Inly 17. The weather (3.3(1) now shows t»igns of moderating, and latest reports from the country show- that the situation is less dangerous. Rain has fallen in Nupicr for the past 72 hours—over 'Sin —and vesterdav S.lOin fell. GISBORNE, July 17. Orinond is cut oil from communication by road, the river having broken through there. Towards Gisborne a bridge at Tarnheru was swept away, with a sand-pump dredge attached to ■it, and''crashed through a footbridge at Carnarvon street. It fortunately was held, otherwise it would have (lone damage to other bridges. It is impossible to give an accurate estimate of the damage done, but many settlers will lose heavily. Mr and Mrs T. King were rescued from the roof o{ their dwelling at Makauri, from which they were lirinsi tuns to attract attention. There were Sft of water in the house. Some of the settlers have lost heavily in stock. Horses and cattle were swimming about in all directions, and drays sent to rescue them wei'e bump intr about amongst drowned sheep.

At Ormond a settler named Holland is isolated on a small island, and the settlers are making a raft to rescue hiui. All the settlers whose houses were surrounded ore now believed to be safe. The train was only able to procevd three miles out, there being many washouts. At tw'o o clock the water was receding slightly, and as the rain is decreasing it is thought the worst is over. There are 10 settlers huddled in the Makauri schoolroom, several bein' r in delicate health. The condition of some of the women and children, who had to llee from their houses in scanty attire and had in some cnses m wade through the water, is pitiable, but everywhere they are meeting with generous hospitality. The rainfall since Saturdav totalled S).l7in.

To-night the Grey street bridge was carried away aud there is erosion of the railway bridge. The present Hood is one <>i the most severe in the memory of the oldest inhabitants. No loss of human lift? has Imn reported, but loss of stock and damage to property will represent inanv thousands of pounds. The seriousness of the position was not fully recognised until about daybreak today, when the country from Matawliero to Makauri and from Makaraka Hotel to Onuond was several feet under water.

Nelson Bros, arc heavy losers, casks of tallow and empty casks from tlie works ljcinu: 'washed to sea, and daninge was done to their property nrenerally. So many boats joined in tlie rescue that when it was certain there was no likelihood of loss of human lift tin- boats lent valuable assistance in saving etock and property. In this way thousands of stock was saved. In less than a 'hundred yards over 20 dead Cows and calves were passed. The rivers are now- (10 p.m.) falling. THE \VATERS >SIT>SIDL\< I. A SEA OF 31 Ul). GISBORXE. -Inly In The Hood waters are subsidiiiL'. Tlie country uncovered presents the | aspect of a sea of mud. XAPJER, .Inly IS The rivers have fallen slightly l»nt a heavy fall of suow is reported from the high land, which will probably increase tlie difficulties. The sea is still running very high. CHHISTCHI'RCU. .JuK H. Hain lias fallen more or less contin- I uously for thr>-c days in the city, but not heavily enough to raise any anxiety as to Hoods in the north or mid Canterbury. Reports from Kaikoura state that there ha? been heavy rain since Sunday. The rivers are in Hood, and a hcaverly easterly sea has had the i f feet of delaying shipping. DETAILS OF LOSSES. *" nisisoiixr., .h,iy is. 'The heaviest losers at Maliauri are (!. Barron 12.1NJ0 slurp, and Thomas (market gardener) sheep and vegetables valued-lit .CljO. There were a number of smalliT losses at Waircngaahika. Jones I'ros. lost a number of sheep and cattle, a fine crop of maize, and a threshing machine. Others lost from s<l to I• IU sheep carli. Many narrow escapes are reported. The damage to the railways consists in the approaches of three bridges beiuir washed awav, also two miles of ballastint. It is ex|H;rte«i to restogp communication in a week or t< n davs.