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Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 170, 21 July 1903, Page 4

The Onamalutd Road. —During the recent floods the Onamalutu Creek was much swollen, and the settlers of that district were awkwardly situated as far as communication with the outside world is concerned. In attempting to cross the creek Mr'T. Giles had an experience which nearly cost him bis ii'e. He was washed down stream with his horse and trap some four chains, landing on an island, where he remained for an hour up to ]\h neck in the w.iter to save the animal. Striking out for the shore, he came to grief in a hole, tho trap toppling over. Mr Giles got the horse free, bub himself became entangled in the shafts, and was washed further down sti earn, until stopped by a clump of willows, which enabled him to reach the bank, Though much exhausted, he jumped into the water again, and got a grip of the horse. In the meantime the flood had risen considerably, and lifted the horse to the level of tho bank; otherwise, Mr Giles's mishap might have had fatal results. As ib was, he ost aboub £5 worth of goods out of the trap, and the harness was much damaged. The incident shows the necessity of improving the Onamalutu road with as little delay as possible. The Wairau Road Board has a Government grant in hand for the formation of a new road, and, it is understood, is hurrying oh bhe survey.