THE STORM AND FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10422, 21 April 1897, Page 5

THE STORM AND FLOODS.

WORST ESTIMATES OF LOSS CONFIRMED. SERIOUS DAMAGE IN THE TAUPO DISTRICT. ACCIDENT ON THE WELLINGTONNEW PLYMOUTH LINK. A CARRIAGE DERAILED. UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCES AT SEA (»Y TKWiaiUPII,—PKKHS ASSOCIATION.] Napiek, Tuesday. The reports from the country only confirm the Worst estimate of the damage done. Sheep and cattle are being carted by thousands to the Tomoana freezing works, where, after the skins and fat havo been removed, the carcases are consumed in the furnaces. The net of tho wind ami tide has carried much debris over to Wairoa beach. Among other things picked up are portions of a boat and two oars, From the description furnished by the police, Mr, Hutchison, the owner, identifies these as belonging to the boat in which Sergeant O'Donovan, Constable Stephenson, Prebblo, Oborn, and Chambers left. Hir James Prendorgast to-day telegraphed a donation of £50 to the relief fund. Kirkcaldie Stains have given £101), Sargood, Son, and Ewen, £25, VV. AI. Uannatyne £10. Tho Mayor has received most sympathetic messages from the Mayors of nearly all the boroughs in tho colony promising active assistance. At a meeting held at) tho Borough Council, Hastings, to-day, a committee was formed to deal with urgent oases. Captain Russell and Mr. Fitzroy have been appointed a deputation to meet tho Hon, Hall-Jones on his nrrival. No trace has been found of the missing men. Search parties arc out on the Mohaka beach. The total damage to property and loss of ( tock cannot be much less than £100,01)0. [BY TRLEORAPir.—OWS CORRESPONDENT.] Taopo. Tuesday. The heavy and continuous rains lash week caused much damage to tho roads and brlilges. The lake is higher than it has been for a long time. The road h washed away in places, and there have bean heavy slips, rendoring it impassable for vehicles. The bridge at Mohaka, on the Napier road, has been carried away, and the coach for Napier has been delayed at Tarawora since Thursday. Arrangements will probably ba made for a punt service, failing whioh the passengers must go via Auckland as tho Wangamii route is also blocked. The South Tokaanu, Taupo, and Tokaanu Roads were blocked until last night by heavy slips. Tho road men havo now made temporary repairs, enabling tho coach to pass yesterday. [BY TKLEQRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] New Plymouth, Tuesday. A landslip occurred on the railway owing to the heavy rains. The slip happened whilo the through train to Wellington was passing near Kai-Iwi, One carriage was derailed, but fortunately no one was injured. The train from Wellington, after a prolonged delay, transferred its passengers across tho slip, receiving in the same way the passengers going south, who had been imprisoned in tho carriages for six hours, amid heavy rainstorm. The Wellington train reached Now Plymouth at six in the morning, having occupied nearly 21 hours in the journey. It was too late to conneob with the Taknpuna or Gairlooh. Among the Auckland passengers detained are the Hone. Major Harris and \V. Kolly. Wellington, Tuesday. Steamers Omapore and Horald, coal laden, from the West Coast, hud rough passages in crossing the Straits. The latter sustained some damage through the lifeboat breaking adrift in a torrilic sea. Curistohuroh, Tuesday. Tho Mayor has called a meeting of citizens for to-morrow afternoon to consider the question of raising a fund fur the relief of the sufferers by the Hawkc's Bay floods. THE MISSING RESCUE PARTY. Tho following letter which we have roceived gives some interesting information regarding the missing boat's crew :— "111 may interest the numerous volunteer committees in this district! to know that one ot the missing boat's crow was a distinguished volunteer, who was well known for years as liapCuin McCirtney of the Artillery. He hid seen sorvice in the Imperial Army (Royal Artillery, 1 believe) and had u responsible position in the Maori war. Knowing him personally as a citizen of Napier, 1 can truly say of him ho was a manly and good-hearted citizen nnd an excellent host. The two police constablesl also knew to ba men who wero highly esteemed. Mr. Prebble was a coal merchant of the Spit, and 1 have always heard of him as a thoroughly decent man of bueinos?, and always willing tri do a good turn. One of tho Ansel! brothers I know also as an old volunteer who had the New Zealand war miidal, but I forgat if his name was Fred. Mr. (Jassin wive an assistant) of Mr, La?cello8, auctioneer, and one of the beat known men of Napier. I am greatly grieved at the affliction of tho several families concerned, which is my excuse for treepassintr on your space.—l am, etc., KIOIIARD HOWRLI.." THE RELIEF FUND. The following telegram has boen sent by the Town Clerk of Auckland to the Mayor oi Napier in reply to the telegrams received from that functionary and published in yesterday's issue: — "To the Mayor of Napier,— Received your telegram. The Mayor, I regret to say, is ill. Your telegrams published. Before I received them I intimated in the press that subscriptions would be received in aid of the sufferers by the disastrous floods in your district. Kindly convey the expressions of the deepest sympathy of the inhabitants of Auckland in the terriblo misfortunes that have overwhelmed your district, and the sorrow at the lamentable loss of lives of the gallant rescuers. I feel assured that Auckland will give material help.—P. A. Philips." The Town Clerk bogs to acknowledge tho following subscriptions received yesterday in and for the Napier relief fund :—Wm. Mason, £5; G, S Ingall, £1 Is; Hon. W. McCullough, £1 la. The Herald Office will receive subscriptions to the above fund, and subscriptions lists have been opened at tho various Banks, and the City Council offices.