DAMAGE BY FLOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 12

DAMAGE BY FLOOD.

PRIVATE LOSS IN NELSON AREA

THE NELSON DISTRICT

EXPERIENCES AT WEEK-END

MANY SHEEP REPORTED LOST

1 ISV TEI.EUIUI'It. — OWN I'OItUESI'ONDE.Vr.] NELSON, Tui'sdny. Nearly 6'.in. of rain foil in the Moluoka and Moiitero districts at tin? week-end, when Lower Moutore experienced ono of tin; largest floods over soon in tho district. Tlin many settlors who wore cut off by 1110 Hood spent a very anxious time until (lie water subsided vestcrdav morn-

The Meniere River rose rapidly and on Sunday overflowed itshauks, rendering the main Nelson Road impassable after 9 a.m. The water covered tho road to a depth of oft., and near the Jubilee Bridge it washed the metal into the adjoining paddock, leaving the road like a river lied. At one place the road was scoured for "a chain in length, and from oft. to 4ft. deep. The loss of property has been considerable, Mr. !•". Teece probably suffering mos>t in this respect. Two stacks of oats, about 36 tons, were washed away from his farm. One stack, a resident said, floated past the Jubilee Bridge with the thatch still on, and was deposited somewhere near Jackett's Island. The other was broken up and scattered along tho banks of tho river. A quantity has been salvaged, but it is doubtful if it will be of much use.

It is repented that Messrs. Ilanvood Bros, have lost a largo number of sheep, while the flood carried away from Mr. .). Harrison's orchard a quantity of apples stacked in cases. .Mr. J. Krammer saved his cattle and sheep by spending several hours in the water m the process of swimming them to higher ground, thing's swing bridge, leading to the Moutere Memorial I'ark, was swept away, and the filling at both ends of a bridge at Mr. S. J. Cook's house disappeared, leaving the residents isolated. Water invaded the homes of Messrs. L. Bowden, L. J. Krammer and F. Grooby, and also Mrs. Hewitt's shop and house, causing considerable damage and discomfort. A section ot the road between Messrs. Cook's and HewiUson's was scoured to a depth of 10ft. A number ot slips have taken place along the Mavis lioail leading to Mariri and 'i'asman, and for some days this route will ho impassable for tratlic. Mariri settlers desiring to travel in the direction of Motueka will be obliged to go via Harley's Koad. The Sandy Bay Koad is reported to bo blocked by slips, while several slides near Mr. J. \\ . Cook's, at. Hiwaka, caused uneasiness to nearby residents. One Motueka householder, who has lived in the same house for over 40 years, had the experience of seeing flood water coming into the building for the first time. On receding it left about 3in. of silt on the iloors. The maximum depth was reached about 7.30 p.m. on Sunday, after which the water subsided rapidly. The Takaka Hill is now reported to be passable by cars. The first car through reached Nelson this afternoon.

ESTIMATES OF DAMAGE.

NEARLY HALF A MILLION.

[tlV TELEGRAPH. —OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] NELSON, Tuesday.

The commissioner of Crown lands, Mr. A. F. Waters, who has just returned from a visit to the earthquake areas for the purpose of making an estimate of the damage* done, announced at a meeting of the executive of the relief committeo today that the damage to private property in (lie Nelson hospital district, not including Nelson city and boroughs, was £237,000. Sometimes he-thought it was more and sometimes less.

The estimate, ho explained, was only an approximate one, and was to enable the central committee to apportion the money among the districts affected. It was resolved to forward tho information to tho central committee.

Mr. Waters further explained that his inspection was at the instance of the Prime Minister to investigate the damage in the rural areas. At tho same time the Mayor was to supply the figures as to the damage to Nelson city and boroughs. In answer to a question the city engineer said it was impossible to estimate tho cost of restoration in the city until plans had been prepay Me could not give nil estimate at pi. sent of tho damago to property. He had not inspected any private houses. The opinion was expressed that, the damage to private property, including Nelson city and tho boroughs, would easily total £250,000.

MORE SHOCKS OCCUR

TWO SEVERE SHAKES

[IJ v TELEGIt.M'ir. —OWN CO It KESTON DENT. ] NELSON, Tuesday.

The Murchison postmaster reported today that after a fine, quiet night detonations commenced at 4.30 a.m. A sharp shock occurred then and a heavier one at 6.30 if.m.

'J'akaka reports that two severe earthquakes were experienced there during the. past 24 hours, tho first at 12.12 p.m. yesterday and the second at 6.29 this morning. Tremors continue at infrequent intervals.

A sharp shock was foil at Nelson at 6.25 a.in. to-day.

FODDER FOR STOCK

APPEAL QUICKLY ANSWERED

I ISv 'iKl.r.OltAl'ir. —I'IiESS ASSOCIATION.] BLF.NfIEI.Nf. Tuesday.

The Mavor, Mr. M. McKenzie, received a telegram from Mr. Ilarkncss, Mayor of Westport, yesterday afternoon, appealing for 20 tons of hay, chaff and other fodder for stock in the Seddonville district, where the fields are covered with silt.

The Mayor referred the request to the Merchants' Association, who acted so promptly that 25 tons of fodder was shipped by the KomaU to-day, and there is more to follow. Several farmers have come forward with offers of fodder for the purpose.