GREAT INUNDATION IN THE WAIRAU.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 28, 5 March 1868, Page 7

GREAT INUNDATION IN THE WAIRAU.

[From the Marlborotigh Express, February B.] Monday, tlie 3rd February, will be a day long to be remembered by the inhabitants of the Wairau, as the date on winch occurred the highest flood ever known here, submerging Blenheim (with the single exception of the ridge on which stands the Victoria Hotel, the Branch Bunk of New Zealand, and the residence of James Sinclair, Esq.), from the Catholic Chapel, in Maxwell Eoad, to Mr. Farmar's, in Grove Eoad. We shall but attempt to describe the circumstances, and if our readers should consider the account too meagre, they must attribute it to the general confusion which has existed in our own premises, in common with others. On Sunday last, about four p.m., smart squally rain set in, accompanied with considerable wind from the south-east, which during the night increased to a perfect hurricane, and continued at intervals during the following day. There was not, however, any signs of flood in the Omaka or Opawa Rivers, which intersect Blenheim, until about eleven a.m. on Monday. Indeed we heard it remarked that these rivers had never been seen so low. About the hour named a spectator on the high ground in Maxwell-road suddenly noticed the Taylor River (a small creek which rises on the north side of the Awatere Saddle) coming down from the Pass in immense volume, forming one vast sheet of water, breast high, quickly filling and overflowing its ancient and usually dry channels ; past the Alabama it came with terrific speed, surrounding Mr. Wemyss's new residence, destroying his garden, drowning the horses in Mr. Gunn's paddock, filling tho great swamp behind Mr. Norgrove's house, then down Hig'i-street and the old gully opposite Mr. Collie's, the rushing torrent of water came, carrying devastation in its progress, until the Omaka became equally swollen, and Blenheim was overwhelmed in a very short period. During the early part of the afternoon, persons had begun to prepare for a flood such as the last (which occurred on January 28th, 1867, but none expected it to reach the height it did. Many of those in the centre of the town took every opportunity of clearing out by any means that offered. At ten minutes before six o'clock, looking towards thcnewPresbyteriau church in course of erection, we saw it move oft 1 the brick piles, a distance of several yards, where it remained until about eight, p.m., when the still rising waters floated the structure, and it went en masse down the current until it reached the Omaka bridge. Ilere tlie water being about level with the stringers, it came with a crash against them, and there remained until Mr. Gorrie (the unfortunate contractor) succeeded with ropes in securing the greater part of the timbers, which he has since, by the exercise of enormous perseverance, recovered. At this time cattle, sheep, and pigs came along swimming for dear life—whole stacks of fencing, timber, firewood, furniture, and boxes, &c, all drifting onwards to the great deep. A noticeable feature was that, unlike last year, but little hay or other crops came down, thanks to the fine weather which has latterly prevailed, enabling most of the farmers to house their harvests in time. The water continued to rise until about eleven p.m., when it had reached from eighteen to twenty-four inches higher than the last flood, which, until now, was considered the highest known. From that hour it began to subside, but very slowly, falling some thirty inches, until early on Wednesday morning, owing to continued rain, the Opawa Eiver rose, and again the flood increased about eighteen, inches, attaining its maximum about half-past ten, when it again subsided, at tho rate of about an inch per hour, leaving a thick stratum of mud, two or three inches deep upon everything the waters had covered. On Thursday forenoon, people began to seek their ho although the rivers had not quite resumed their original courses. The appearance of the town was beyond description, and we cannot attempt it. During Monday evening, volunteer parties manned all tho boats procurable, and rescued all who were in danger, conveying them principally to the Victoria and Ewart's Hotels, whose height and.commodious character rendered them available. We heard that the last-named sheltered no less than 100 souls. During the whole of the night, at intervals, shots were heard, and loud cooeying from parties in distress ; 'and so well did the boating parties exert themselves, that we believe none remained unanswered ; nor, so far as we have heard, has there been any accident to life or limb, although the narrow escapes, we need scarce add, have been numerous. Among those prominently engaged in the boats, who deserve honourable mention, were John Ellis (Express Office), — Watson, T. Flowers, in James' boat; Norgrove Brothers, in their own boat; Necromancer's boat, Collinson; and a blue boat manned by Messrs. Dodson, Eayner, ' and Adams ; also one in charge of Captain Erazer,

formerly of tlio Jeannie Duncan, besides a number of smaller ones. Messrs. Norgrovo Brothers had a narrow escape from being lost with a boat-load of people. On getting into Alfred-street, whero they woro going to tho Express office (which fortunately possessed the advantage of a second Btorey), the forco of tho current bore them past the house, nnd carried them down between Mr. R. D. Nosworthy's store and tho Literary Institute, where a number of shoals in the shape of drays stood in the way : fortunately they escaped, and passing up tho garden delivered thoir passengers at tho back entrance Tho, Btrcets, Vonice-like, were transformed into canals, nnd tho only communication was by boat. Ono of tho town bakeries— that of Messrs. By thell and Tait— was half under water, but tho other (Messrs. Brown and Sutherland's) being situate fur up tho Grove-road, was beyond (he reach of the flood, and so distributed Iho " Btaff of life " to tho bcleagtired inhabitants of houses having an upper storoy, ono of whom wo saw obtaining his supplies by means of a cord attached thereto. Mr. Adams and Mr. Lock, butchers, also contrived to obtain nnd supply their customers with meat. Oollio 8 bridge was blocked up with a quantity of debris, including a stable and sundry closets, timbor, &c. Tho bridge in Auckland-street was carried away, but Mr. Daikco succeeded in detaining it, and wo hear lashed it to tho front of his house, making of it a temporary wharf. Wo are glad to hear that tho works fov the new bridgo over the Opawa withstood the rush of water, und that Mr. Ilamwright, tho contractor has sufforod very little loss. Mr. Billy Smith and Mr. Dovo, with their families, had to tako rcfugo at Hyde's hotel } tho house of tho latter being built of cob has since melted away. Mr. Dodson's hop-gar-den, which looked so pretty only a weok ago, was covered with water. "We hope, however, that the fine sunshino of the last day or two will remedy, if it does not avert any damage. We ought not to omit mention of Mr. Sinclair, who kindly placed a number of sheep at tho disposal of Mr. Leek, whoso stock was supposed to havo been carried away. Mr. Sinclair also went round nnd proffered his services to all who were in want of supplies of uny kind. The height of tho wator muy be judged from the following :— At Lowis's stables the roadway was neck high ; in Iligh-street it wa3 two foot one inch in ono of tho stores, and mutli more in some of them ; in tho Express Office, never before invaded by floods, at the front eighteen inches, and at back two feot 5 at Ewart's, sixteen inches j at the Government Buildings, twelve inches ; in James' bar, three feet ; and at Carter's store, Maxwoll-road, five feet. Tho floor of the new wool-shed of N. Edwards and Co. was just four inches above the highest floodmark. Tho schooner Necromancer lay at the Highstreet Wharf, but, as tho water rose, she went over to tho new wharf at Leeds Quay and made fast. The schooner Sisters, laden with coal from Nelson for N. Edwards and Co., lay a little below the wharf, and swinging on to tho bank, was obliged to discuttrgo hor cargo, in order to got off again. The p.s. Lyttelton lay outside the bar, and made several attempts to outer the river on Wednesday, but could not for tho strong current running out to sea. Tho aspect of the town and surrounding country as we looked abroad on Thursday was anything but cheerful, yet we have heard Httlo or no complaining, all our townspeople putting a good face on the matter as one that could not be helped, and their bearing throughout was becoming tho reputation which thoy possess of truo British piuuk and during. Among those who distinguished themselves during the lato disastrous Hood by giving assistance where required, and not named elsewhere, the following have been reported to us as deserving grateful recognition :— Messrs. Carey, Gresham, Lewis, Tom Palmer, Avery, and Godfrey Phillips. Wo are unable to form any reliable idea of the extent of losa and damage on this occasion, which must be immense, and therefore refrain iroui individualising anyono in the district. Accounts fvoin tho country continue to como in ■with reports of damage dono by tho Hood iv various localities. At Rcnwicktown a Btnall creek from an adjoining swamp fed by tho Opawa caused some little damage to Mr. Lit oilfield's stable. The sudden rush of water down tho creek burst the brick culvert, and stopped tho road entirely. Mr. Macaulay will, wo understand, replace it by a temporary one iv the oourso of a day or two. At tho turn of tho road whero tho Omaka runs contiguous to it, it is much injured, and a considerable quantity of fencing was carried away belonging to Mr. Macaulay, Mr. M'lver, and My. Adam Jackson, at whoso house tho water rose two foet, and wo hear his garden is destroyed. At Mr. Ward's residenco there is a small stream ordinarily about four feet wide, and a few inohes deep ; this became suddenly a mighty river, coming down with immense force, bringing trees and debris of various kinds, devastating Jits garden, upon which great labour and expense had been expended, and reducing it to a more shingle bed. Mr. Goultor's homestead was also ruined in a similar manner. Below Blenheim tho farms seem to havo Buffered most during Wednesday evening. Mr. Macdonald and Mr. Harding, it is reported, lost tho wholo of their stock. A gentleman from the country informed us that on Wednesday, when he looked down from the heights, tho whole plain from above Blenheim to tho sea secmod ono vast sheet of water. At tho north side of Blenheim we learn that the flood waa hoaviest on Tuesday. At tho ferry, Hathawny's was thrco inches under water, at Phillips' new store it was level with the floor, and at Spring Creek great damage was dono by tho water. At the buah the flood was a little heavier than usuul but so far as wo huve heard lit tlo dumago resulted. Mr. N. T. Prtchard's house, although surrounded by water on overy side, remained dry. A gentleman from Elaxbourno came in on Thursday afternoon and roportod that tho Taylor Pass road waa destroyed, and ho hud been obliged to come by the Maxwell Puss. Tho Awatero district has suffered heavily, an unusually high flood having occurred in that river, resulting in tho formation of a new and improved ford across it. A considerable portion (about 300 feet) of Ihe Boulder Bank at tho Wairau Kivor-moulh lias been Washed away— no great evil probably in itself, if the next galo did not eloso it entirely. Dr. Home's sheep, on Dillon's-point, have all disappeared— some 850 in number. Numbers of the sheopfuvmevs reckon thoir losses by hundreds, besides cattlo and horses. On Thursday, as the waters subsided, a numbor of houses built of adobe, usually called cobhouses, fell in ; among tho rest wo hear of Mrs. Robinson's, and Mr. M. Hart's, al Spring-creek; nnd Mr. A. Barclay's, at Sinclair's farm. From Mr. Fox wo learn that, at Marshburn, tho fencing is partially destroyed, and tho cottage at Bunkhouso, containing ttll tho tools, was swept away, also n large extent of foncing. Tho Haven-bridge, between Monro Brothers and Williams' runs, has also been carried away, A fino schooner, tho Canterbury, owned by Cunningham and Woods of Lyttelton, took refuge- with throe otlu'K vessels near Capo Campbell from tho N.W. gale, and was then caught by a nor'-wester and driven ashoro on tho bench. All hands were saved, and tho captain camo down to Blenheim to seek aid of tho p.s. Lyttelton to get her ofl'tignin. Of tho other threo vessels, one drifted out to sea and tho others held thoir ground. Sineo writing the above, wo havo been favoured with tho report of Captain Bowton, as follows :— " On Saturday, Feb. 1, left Wellington lighthouse at 9, a.m. with ft light northerly wind, tho barometer at 2920. At 4, p.m. on Fobrimry 2, a fresh breeze sprung up from tho S.S.E., nnd we fetched under the Ice of Capo Campbell; brought up with the best bowor and thirty fathom of chain in four and a-hulf fathom water. Tho kotchos Emerald and Gem uiul tho schooner Ludy Don brought up iv tho course of the eanio forenoon. In tho afternoon the wind freshoned and hauled duo S.E., with constant rain, barometer 29"10. At S, p in. let go th«i second anchor, and paid out twenty fathom on both. At 8, a.m. on Monday, February 3, tho wind hauled to the K. by S. and blew a perfect hurricane. Barometer 28 SO. Very thick ami constant rain. Payed out to tho ond (78 fathom) tho best bower chain nnrl forty-five fathom on 6ocond anchor; put a slip ropo on tho cables, and sent down square yard. Tho Emerald and Gem dragged, und oithor slipped or purchased thoir anchors and went to sea. At 10,

a.m., barometer 2860, the Lady Don dragged some distance, but again brought up. At 2, p.m. tho wind suddenly chopped round to N., and then to N.W., and blow furiously ; payed out on second anchor to bring an equal strain on both ; got the stream anchor and warp ready to let go, the shift of wind having caused tho vessel to sail very close on shore, but sho rode very easily until ISO, p.m. In a heavy squall started tho anchors. Wo let go tho stream and payed out to 110 fathoms on the second anchor. Brought up and held on till 9.30, when as we suppose the chain parted and the vessel ran astern very rapidly, the sea breaking all round her. Slipped everything ; set the staysail, main peak, aiul let fall the topsail, and wo steered as near as possible for a break in tho cliff, and took the ground about twenty fathoms from the gully and about twice her length from the cliff. Got tho boat out to carry kedgo and warp to the gully, and to save life if there should appear any danger of tho vessel striking tho faco of the cliff. Myself and threo hands landed in the boat with a life-line, but on hauling tho boat through the surf the second timo the lino parted and the boat was immediately stove. On Tuesday sent one hand to try and find a guide, and in the meantime the crew and myself were employed in getting provisions and sparo sails on shore. Hoisted ten bales of woolpaeks on deck, then hove out three tons of ballast in order to heave tho vessel past some rocky ground. At high water hove her about ton feet ahead. Next low water, after consultation with the mate and carpenter, and with their advice, scuttled her to keep her from striking at high, water, and sho now lies apparently uninjured, except tho iron tiller and the rudder irons broken." Captain Bowton left for Wellington by tho steamer Lyttelton yesterday morning. It is reported that tho Picton Eoad is cut away and destroyed in many places. In tho Tua Marina valley tho water was twelve feet deep, while at Picton a flood had occurred of such an extensive character as had never before bceu known. Access to tho Tasmanian Hotel aud vicinity and the lower part of the town being absolutely impossible. Mr. Downes, the Picton Postmaster, came through yesterday on business connected with the telegraph, lie reports that r.o less than nine of the telegraph posts aro carried away on tho Picton Road. On every himd higns of the devastation were apparent. On the north side of the Ferry the road wus covered with wreck and timber left by the flood. All along tho road, the persons working in tho bush had suffered considerable loss. A flood such as had not before beon experienced at Picton occurred on Monday last, which reached its maximum a ten a.m. At seven a.m. tho two footbridges across'tho Waitohi were swept away ; about 9 o'clock tho torrent forced its way through tho new cutting and came with such forco against the bridgo as to greatly endanger its eafuty. The spectators sought by every species of ingenuity to keek it clear of tho logs, which came down on the flood, and dammed up Iho water against tho timbers. The gaol, by reason of the spread of tho river, stood on an island, during the whole of the day the river was impassable. Early on Tuesday morning tho flood began to abate and resumed its wonted appearanco by Thursday evening. Considerable property was destroyed, the chief being Mr. Esson'B. The water, however, did not get into the houses to any excont, owing to the ! steep gradient of the locality. ' It seems pretty evident that the floods nnd disasters have been very generally prevalent throughout this province at least. Tho arrival of the northern mails will probably inform us to what extent. Dr. Muller informs us that the rainfall during tho first three days of this Aveek was greater than has occurred before in his experience. From noon on Sunduy, to ten a. m. on Monday, it was 1.59 inches ; but as an accident occurred to his gauge on Monday, ho was only able to form an approximation. Ho considers that the following day it would not bo less than two inches. On Monday evening the wind chopped round to the N.W., which caused the rising of tho Waivau and other rivers on the north side. On Wednesday the gauge registered '59 inches, for tho three days. There can, however, be no doubt that tho rainfall was heavier on the hills than in the plain. Tho barometer kept steadily falling from Friday until Sunday, when the weather was assuming a threatening aspect. In the afternoon it was at 2981 ; on Monday, at noon, it stood at 2873 ; at three, p.m., at 2861; at five, p.m., it rose arraiu (the wind which had been blowing from the N.E. having gone round to the N.W.) to 2940. Since then it has fluctuated very much during tho week, rising and falling until yesterday noon, when it stood at 29-32.