GREAT FLOOD IN HOKITIKA. (Condensed from the "West Coast Times," Oct. 10.)

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 358, 27 October 1868, Page 2

GREAT FLOOD IN HOKITIKA. (Condensed from the " West Coast Times," Oct. 10.)

Since Hokitika was first inhabited by the white man, it has not been visited by so heavy a flood as that which occurred yesterday morning — a flood which, although comparatively peaceful in its character, so far as the rising of the water was concerned, yet was, nevertheless, productive of much damage to property, and we regret to have to record in one instance of the loss of life. During part of Thursday night, indeed until far into yesterday morning, the rain descended in torrents, changing every creek into a miniature river. At about four o'clock yesterday morning it became evident that the storm water would not bo carried off by the river. It was then high tide, every creek was filled to overflowing, and the rain was descending in a pelting pour. Every minute the waters rose higher and higher, until at length they ran over the wharf,-overflowed the creeks, and washing over the footpaths and roads, began to lap the doors of the dwellings. Higher and higher rose the flood, until the water was deep in the streets, and was entering into the houses. Then the sleepers arose from their beds, and in many caseB wild cries for help came from the affrighted women and children, and truly at five o'clock the scene was of a character calculated to terrify even stouter hearts than theirs. Suppose a parallelogram, one side being Gibson's Quay from Wharf-street to the Islay Hotel, a distance of about a mile, the other extending from near Hampdtm-street to Wharf-street, at its angle with Revell-street, the sides being drawn from the other sides we have named ; suppose this space to be filled with water, varying from a few inches to some feet in depth, and" then some idea will be formed of the scene which awaited those who, awakened by the cold waters, rose in the grey dawn, and wildlj shrieked for help. Higher and higher rose the waters, and those who could do bo were glad, half clad, to leave their dwellings and seek shelter in places not likely to be invaded by the rising flood. In one or two instances men, accompanied by their wives, ascended to the roof-tops, and many were the looks anxiously directed across the watery waste for help. Nor was the help so looked for — so longed for at a time when every minute seemed an hour — long denied. Soon numerous boats were to be seen plying in the streets, going from house to house, aud rescuing the inhabitants ; and conspicuous among these was a boat propelled by a stalwart crew, in the stern of which was to be seen the burly form of the harbor-master, Captain Turnbull, whose voice sounded like a trumpet amidst the surrounding din. Yet this man rough in exterior as he appeared, has evidently a heart brimful of human kindness ; from house to house he urged on his crew, taking off the frightened women and children ; and in one case, where a mother with her babe only a week old was lying in imminent danger, the rough old salt behaved with such gentle tenderness as showed him one of nature's gentlemen. Meanwhile the waters kept on increasing ; no attempts were made to save property, the inhabitants of the localities where the flood prevailed being content to escape with their lives, and leave their property to its fate. At seven o'clock the flood was at its highest, and from that hour the waters began rapidly to decrease — that decrease being mainly owing to the assistance which numbers of volunteers as well as hired laborers, afforded the Channel Committee in catting through the South Spit — until at about two o'clock in the afternoon the streets were once more passable even for pekestrians.

At a recent meeting of the Auckland Institute, a discussion' arose regarding the hot springs to be found throughout the Province of Auckland. Captain Hutton gave a description of a large one near Wangape, which was so hot that a pig cast into it had be6n brought out vrith its hair scalded off. He was of opinion that, in proportion to its size, there are more hot springs in the North Island than in any other part of the world j and he had no doubt that some day these springs would prove as attractive as those of Germany at the present time. —Daily Times. . A nugget, weighing over six ozs, was found, on the 16th inst., in a gully near the boundary of Treweek's run, Tuapeka. It is thought that if the ground on that run were thoroughly prospected, the result would be very satisfactory. — Evening Star. The half-holiday movement has been vigorously taken up in Christchurch, and an endeavor is being made to get the market-day altered from Saturday to Thursday, in order to allow of the weekly halfholiday being upon the former day of the week.