FLOOD SIDELIGHTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 151, 27 May 1935, Page 4

FLOOD SIDELIGHTS.

CHINAMEN’S PREDICAMENT

INCIDENT OX BOX ESS .ROAD

Although touched with an element of risk more to property than to person, four Feilding Chinamen will have cause to remember the flood in the Mangaone Stream at Boness Road, about three miles from Feilding, on Thursday morning. As related in the “Standard” on Friday, it appears that they left for their garden on Boness Road on Thursday morning, and before reaching it had to cross through about six inches of water on the road. Later, the steady rise of the water aroused their doubts as to the wisdom of staying where they were, and they elected to leave. All went well in the passage through the now higher flood water until some water got into the engine and stopped it. A tow rope was brought them from some helpers on ihe other side of the road, and the journey was resumed. However, unknown to anyone, the main current of the flood waters crossing the road had been steadily washing out a large hole and into this the lorry and its Chinese passengers plunged. The

drop caused tire tow-rope to break and this severing of the link with the other shore caused the Chinamen to vacate the cab of their lorry and seek shelter on the roof from which vantage point onlookers state they surveyed the flood with the broad grins of complete amusement. Suddenly, however, the water got the better of the lorry, capsizing it into the hole, Chinamen, vegetables and lorry completely disappearing. Fears of a tragedy, were immediately aroused among those on the road, but these were dissipated when one by one the thoroughly drenched celestials appeared above the swirling water to regain their feet and get out. The hole, fortunately, although deep, was not long and the rush of water had carried the Chinamen through to shallower levels. The lorry remained completely out of sight in the hole, but it was recovered when the water subsided about a chain trom where it went in. It was quite unharmed and at present is in a Feilding garage looking much cleaner lor its lengthy bath. The mechanical parts alone will need to bo cleaned of the silt which accumulated during the immersion, but otherwise the vehicle was not damaged. AVhen seen on Saturday one of the Chinamen was disposed'to regard the affair lightly, hut nevertheless intimated that he had not appreciated it.