TRAGEDY OF THE FLOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18396, 11 May 1923, Page 8

TRAGEDY OF THE FLOOD.

MARLBOROUGH FATALITY.

FARMER AND LAD DROWNED.

RECOVERY OF THE BODIES.

HEAVY, TOLL OF DISASTER.

[PUBLIC WORKS AND STOCK.

fnr • TELEGRAM. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.] BLENHEIM. Thursday. After a search which lasted for two days, the bodies of Mr. E. E. Robinson, and the lad, Jack Gledhill, who perished in the flood in the Grovetown district, close' to Blenheim, on Monday night, were discovered this afternoon in about five feet of water. Mr.. Robinson, who had thrown off his coat and boots, had evidently struck out for the high land in the vicinity, but was overcome by the swift torrent before proceeding very far and the body was discovered against a fence within 50 yard 3of the capsized dray. Gledhill, who had also thrown off part of his clothing, was found in an adjoining paddock about 100 yards distant. An inquest was held this evening and a verdict returned of death by drowning. Mr. Robinson was a member of a wellknown Marlborough family, and was 45 years of age. He saw service in the South African War and for a number of years held the secretaryship of the Spring Creek Road and River Boards. He was also, inspector to the Spring Creek Road Board. He leaves a wife, but no children. Messrs. H. J. Robinson, headmaster of the Picton School, Frank Robinson (Greymouth), and George Robinson (Blenheim) are brothers. The youth Gledhill, whose family reFide at Spring Creek, was about 16 years of age, and had been employed by Mr. Robinson for about nine months. Water Now Seceding. Blenheim is now clear of water and the floods are receding very rapidly all over the district though practically the whole of the Dillon's Point district is still deeply inundated, a3 are the lower portions of the Wairau Plains. As was,anticipated, the losses of stock aro very heavy in this 'locality, and carcases of sheep are to be seen in several localities hung up in barbed wire fences or lying huddled in groups on sodden ground. Individual losses are difficult to ascertain, but at Spring Creek Mr. A. Vickers lost 400 sheep in one paddock, and Mr. Alf. Kore lost 460.' The whole of the plain bears a most desolate and dreary appearance, fences being down on all sides or sagging under tho weight of festoons of weeds and other debris left by the receding waters. Road communication with Picton was restored this morning, but the railway, as already reported, is in such a deplorable condition that it will be many days before the train service can be resumed. Meantime there has been an influx of the engineering heads of various Government departments to the district, with a. view to obtaining a reliable estimate of the damage sustained to bridges, telegraphs, and other public works. It is freely estimated that the bridges alone will cost close upon £200,000 to replace, but this figure seems an extraordinary one, even when it is remembered that some of the bridges affected were very costly, and represented the solution of very difficult engineering problems. Inspection ol Flood Damage. A' party consisting of, Messrs. H. Dickson (resident publio works engineer, Nelson), Cook and Hounsell (also of the Publio Works Department), and Mr, A. E. Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, left Blenheim for the south this morning to inspect flood damage, having as their ultimate objective the damaged Clarence Bridge. The party will be faced with many difficulties in the course of their tour of inspection, but v the trip will be made on horseback, relays having been arranged. Messrs. Gordon (inspector of permanent ways), Bertinshaw (assistant district engineer), and Herlund (foreman -of works) are also in the district. Messrs. Bertinshaw and Herlnnd came through from Picton over the damaged , track on a motor jigger this morning and have-gone on to wharanui. Mr. W. J. Girling, M.P.. has asked the Minister for Publia Works to visit the district in person. * . , So far few cases of actual distress are reported, but it is feared that there will be many cases before long. An appeal is to be made by the municipal authorities for gifts of clothing, children's clothing being particularly welcome. Many families, it is stated, are without dry clothing owing to the invasion of their homes, and. what is more, cannot make fires owing to the sodden state of tho wood and coal. The Mayor's relief fund is growing. The Mayor of Picton has offered every possible assistance. The secretary of the «d Cross Society, Wellington, has also telegraphed the town clerk slating that the society would be glad to open relief subscription lists and call for gifts of clothing for the most urgent cases in Blenheim. Replies have been despatched expressing appreciation of the offer of help. " Commissioner Hoggard, of the Salvation Army, has telegraphed the local organisation to place the Army's resources at the disposal .of necessitous cases. Sturdy Spirit of Refugees. While the offers are all deeply appreciated it is not anticipated there will be any very serious wants which cannot be provided for by the district itself. The main need is for dry clothes on account of the fact that the rain has continued fairly steadily ever since the flood and there has been no opportunity of drying garments. Kindling wood is also at a premium, * everything being saturated. Apart from these discomforts Blenheim is rapidly getting back to normal and settlers in, the farm areas which have been under water arc beginning to reckon their losses. Tho most surprising and inspiring aspect of the disaster which has overtaken the settlers is their surprising cheerfulness. Practically all those who were spoken to were smiling and bravelv optimistic, with tho remark that things might have been worse. Too much cannot be said in praise of the hundreds of young and old men who unselfishly devoted themselves during the height of the flood to rescue work. Some used boats, some horses, and some drays nnd carts, and thev rescued many hundreds of people whose condition in the flood area might easily have been very grave.

YOUTH'S GALLANTRY.

DIVES INTO SWOLLEN RIVER.

PRECIOUS BOAT RECOVERED.

[BY telegram.—-own correspondent.]

BLENHEIM. Thura«»y.

A young man named W. Satherly per- . formed a plucky, if somewhat foolhardy, action in 'diving into the flooded river in tho vicinity of Customhouse Street to bring a boat to the bank. Advice had been received that two men, Messrs. J. Gaul and D. Jones, were in a precarious position on a hedge in Hutchison Street and no boat was available to rescue them. In these circumstances Satherly plunged into the river and secured the boat, which was at once used to rescue Messrs. Gaul and Jones, and which subsequently ce-scued over 50 people in dangerous situations.,