THE POVERTY BAY FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13234, 20 July 1906, Page 6

THE POVERTY BAY FLOODS.

EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. A RELIEF FUND. • [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] * . Gishorne, Thursday. At a public meeting held to-day to devise relief funds in connection with the flood, Mr. Bright, manager of the Loan and Mercantile, said he had spent some time looking over the flooded district, and he fancied that the losses had been largely exaggerated. While there were a few cases where temporary assistance, was urgently required, in the majority of cases the recent prosperous years had put settlers beyond the want of assistance. Townspeople, before embarking in a spontaneous effort, should ascertain what were the urgent cases needing relief. ; There were a few cases of hardship; but with a few weeks of sunshine it, would be found that the flood would be a blessing in disguise. Mr. Bright suggested that if country people who had spare grass country took stock from settlers flooded out, the bulk of the help that was urgently required would be met. Although many had serious losses, there were j only five. or six who had received serious! knocks. Mr. Bright had seen many of] the settlers yesterday, and they agreed that j it might have been worse. It might have | struck them years ago when they were not j ill a good position to stand it, and Mr. Bright did not think there was need for any great anxiety as to the results of the flood, if settlers in the back country would send in intimations of what stock they could accommodate.

This view was /generally accepted, and offers of pasture for farmers' stock are being freely received, this being the most practical way of showing assistance. At the same time, it was decided to raise a relief fund of £1000, to meet urgent necessities in deserving cases. After these had been provided for, the balance will probably be handed over to a fund for the maintenance of Captain Nicolas' children.

Mr. Lysnar combated Mr. Blight's statement as to the position. " He said he spent a considerable time yesterday in going around, and there were certain farmers who were ruined, unless aid was given them. One man could only "muster 28 cows out of 44, and had lost 30 to 40 pigs, besides poultry. >'

ROUGH WEATHER AT WAIHT.

THREE BARGES DASHED TO PIECES.

[IIY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

"Waihi, Thursday.

Steady rain set in again this morning, and it continued unabated all day. , It has been reported that during Monday night's storm three barges, belonging to the Ohinemuri River Syndicate, used in connection with the tailings plant, were swept away from their moorings by the. flood waters of the river, and were dashed to pieces on the rocks between Waihi and Waikino. One of the barges, it is stated, carried an oil engine, and the loss to the syndicate is very considerable. • ;

RAILWAY TRAFFIC SUSPENDED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Palmerston, North, Thursday.

In consequence of the heavy floods in the Manawatu and Oroua Rivers, a portion of the railway line at Oroua bridge and Bainesse, between here and Foxton, is several feet- under water, temporarily suspending traffic. ' A large tract of country at Oroua Downs is also under water, though the undulating nature, of the land has enabled stock to find a place of saifetv, and' no losses in this respect are expected.