Flood Aftermath

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 107, 7 May 1941, Page 6

Flood Aftermath

Citizens Return to Damaged Homes ; Many of those people who were forced to evacuate their homes when flood water invaded them on Sunday night were able to return yesterday and make a start cleaning up the mess of mud that lay thick over the floors. It was a sorry situation, but all faced it with a smile. Hoses were brought into play wherever j possible to suice out the silt. Others had to be content with buckets of water with which they swilled the floors, following up with the broom. Upholstered furniture was soaking with water, while carpets—liko the floors—were thick with mud. In many houses tho highwater mark was found several feet up the walls, which will mean re-papering sooner or later. While most of the water had found its way back to the i river yesterday there was still much] lying in the depressions and old river courses. As some of these have no out-

let to the Manawatu River, it will lie « there till it has soaked into the ground, j Hokowhitu residents who saw the big 1902 flood assert that this one left less high ground, despite the fact that official figures proclaim it of 25 per cent, less capacity. Mr. A. Shailer produced a photograph of the Pahiatua Street area taken during tho 1902 flood as proof, while Mr. C. Anderson recalled that when he had Lis house built the floor was placed at a level three inches above the 1902 deluge. This time the water came into the house to a depth of at least three feet. A car which he had been unable to remove from his garage was completely covered by the flood. | In order to give tho womenfolk a clear field of action, furniture and other movable things were carted outside and there hoses were turned on them to wash off the mud. Stoves in which there had been polish-pride were beginning to rust over. Curtains hung from windows dirty and bedraggled. Beds were soaked. Cupboards had been invaded and groceries ruined. Dogs which had been missing turned up to get a prodigal 1 welcome. i At the lower end of Albert Street apples and cabbages littered the road. ( Equipment from the Chinese market

gardens was tangled up in the fence! Helpers gathered up pumpkins whic had been washed away. They wer good salvage. In Pahiatua Street th City Council’s dead horse and dray sti] awaited removal. A break in the stoj bank aloug lower Buahine Street show ed where the full force of the river ha poured over. The force of the torren could bo gleaned from the way grave had been washed off the road. The floo over that area must have been man feet deep at the peak. There wer many evacuations along this particula street. "Water got under the Hoke whitu School and it has been closed. 'I any case, the children had only a days before tho term holidays. Th Hokowhitu Bowling Club's greens prt sent a forlorn sight. They are sti] covered and will probably have to b pumped out, as they were excavated an there is no outlet for water. The floo came almost to tho back door of th house of Mr. A. .T. Shailer, whose nui scry was completely covered. Mr. B. I Harrison was still unable to reach hi house yesterday except by boat. H must be one of the worst sufferer; Gardens have suffered, but at th moment they are a secondary considers tion. I

Sewerage Problem A major problem now facing Hokowhitu suburb is that of sewerage. The pump house in College Street Extension is still under water, and although the I flood has receded from the pump house at the end of Jickell Street, it canuot function till the motors have been dried out. This is now being done. Residents have been warned to be exceptionally careful. Bath water and the like can go down their drains but lavatories must not be used. This state of affairs, it is officially stated, is likely to remain for a day or two. Cook’s Mill as Laundry An offer by Messrs. W. Cook and Sons to dry out blankets at their mill has been accepted by the City Council and yesterday men with lorries were engaged tagging and collecting the wet bedding from houses. Council employees also assisted in the hosing out of houses and other urgent relief work. The gas position in the city is still one in which the gas has to be rationed and it is stated that this state of affairs likely to last until after Friday. Meanwhile gas is being turned on dur ing the following hours 0n1y:—6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. This will cover the cooking hours. A start has teen made to pump out the water in the yard so that the machinery can be restarted and new gas made. Till then all the city has is what is in the holders.