MAYOR TO THE RESCUE

Northern Advocate, 3 February 1936, Page 2

MAYOR TO THE RESCUE

ABODE FOR THE NIGHT PROVIDED Trie experience of seven families in Walton Street on Saturday night was indeed an unenviable one. Their homes were invaded by the water early in the evening, and gradually rose abnormally. All hands were on deck in rolling up linos, retrieving matting and bundling up bed clothes and stacking the lot at a level where it was hoped they would escape the ravages of the water. Hope of remaining at home was sustained until 11 o’clock, when it was absolutely compulsory to beat a hasty retreat. The unfortunate people waded from their homes and along the street to where cars were waiting to convey them to comfort. The police station was the first port of call and through the department, the Mayor, Mr W. Jones, was communicated with. Sympathy was 1 quickly forthcoming, and Mr Jones { left instructions that all in distress j could either occupy the supper room at the Town Hall for the night or take up temporary abode at any boardinghouse.

Two families, comprising in all, four adults and eight children, decided to spend the night in the Town Hall Other than dryness, their comforts were practically nil. The only bedding available to the entire company was two blankets, retrieved {fiJOrn their homes and a few odds and ends. When called on at 12.30 a.m. yesterday, they were making the best of their unfortunate plight and meeting their hardships with a smile. They were rather concerned about their possessions left behind. In the case of these two families, their bedding, although stacked high, v/as under water when they left.