SETTLERS' ORDEALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 8

SETTLERS' ORDEALS

WATER INVADES HOMES RESCUE OF FAMILIES SCENES OF DEVASTATION STOCK AND CROPS SUFFER [by telegraph OWN correspondent] CHUISTCHURCH, Sunday A number of settlers in the flooded areas had to leave their homes, several families being rescued in the early hours of yesterday morning. Not a single fence remains in Price's Valley—all have been either laid flat or washed away. The whole valley is covered with silt, boulders, logs and other debris. In Kaituna Valley, where the farmers are mainly graziers, the loss of fencing is not so severe, but the scene of devastation is equally depressing. Mr. A. Stephens, who lives at the mouth of the Kaituna Valley, escaped from his home at 5 o'clock yesterday morning with his wifo and four children—th& oldest being four years—when thp water had risen to 2ft. in the house. He had to wade through water up to his shoulders to carry his family to safety. Mr. Sydney Turner, a near neighbour of Mr. Stephens, had only a few inches of flood water in his house, but? was surrounded, though in little danger. Mr. T. L. Lamport and his family had to remain in their houso while the floods rose round them, because the house was isolated in the middle of the valley. However, the water rose only a few inches above the floors. Rescue Effort Tails When Mr. A. Marsh, whoso home is half-way up the Kaituna Valley, was awakened, there was a foot of water in tho house and he was surrounded by the flood and could not leave. About 20 pigs were drowned in sties near the house, but the cattle escaped. An attempt was made to rescue Mr. Marsh and family, whose plight looked serious. A boat was secured, but the current was so swift that it was found impossible to reach them. The boat now lies high and dry on tho slopes of a hill some distance above the road —an excellent indication of high-water mark of the flood.

Mr. W. Parkinson, the owner of a big estate at the head of Kaituna Valley, is a heavy loser. He has lost at least 100 sheep, soine cattle, and some hundreds of pounds' worth of crops. On the road approaching his house there is a big nlip, audi two private bridges are washed away.,

Refuge Taksn in Woolshed In Price's Valley, which is mainly given over to cropping, it is not expected that the stock losses will prove heavy, though it is impossible yet to estimate them. As all fences were destroyed, tbc stock for the most part got away to the hillsides and safety. One herd of 87 dairy cows escaped in this way.

Mr. W. A. Gray left his house with his family and spent anxious hours before daylight in. the woolshed. His farm is now a sorry sight, almost covered with boulders washed down from slips higher up. Another family that had to leave its home was that of Mr. J. R. Parrish.

There will be no easy communication with the top of Price's Valley for weeks. The stream has changed its course in several places, washing away valuable land. Indeed, the whole valley looks a desolate ruin.

Ten Families Leave Homes At Little River many houses were invaded by flood water, or appeared in danger of being surrounded, and ten families had to leave their homes. The people of the township spent a miserable day yesterday. The floods made it impossible for provisions to be purchased or delivered, and in some cases lack of food was added to the discomforts. The electric-power also failed and was not restored until 4.30 this afternoon.

Tho Little River Domain, which is the recreation centre of the village, is now covered by 18in. of water, and there are few fences in the lower areas of the township. All tho adults of the settlement were called out early yesterday to rescue sheep which had been overtaken by the flood. These operations were very successful, as few sheep were lost.

Many Slips on Roads Akaroa reports high floods, but little damage. There have been, of course, many slips on roads and hillsides. At Peraki Commander S. Hall had to leave his home. His tennis court, garden and shrubbery were swept away. At Te Oke the cowshed and chaff house on Mr. Gordon Murray's holding were moved some chains away, and he lost all his winter feed. Many settlers lost stock, but it is impossible yet even to estimate the total.

BAY OF PLENTY STORM

GALE AND HIGH TIDE WAVES ACROSS ROADWAY [by telegraph—own correspondent] OPOTIKI, Saturday With the exception of one slight shower this morning the weather today has been in direct contrast to that of the last two days, when 2.16 in. of rain was registered to 9 a.m. to-day. Extraordinarily high tides were experienced along the coast, and at Horere the waves broko right across the road, carrying quantities of shingle on to the roadway. Spray from the huge seas was carried some distance inland, falling like tine rain. So high was the tide at Opotiki that Volkner's Island was completely submerged, the water being two feet over the stopbank. Low-lying farm lands at Opotiki, Waiawa, Tirohanga and Kukuinoa were covered by tidal waters, which at the Otaru Bridge were bank to bank.

AREAS m NORTH LOW-LYING PADDOCKS FLOODED [from our own correspondent] WAKKWORTH. Sunday Yesterday a cool westerly wind was blowing, accompanied by frequent heavy showers. To-day conditions are much tho same. Low-lying paddocks in the Kaipara Flats, Way by and Hoteo districts have been inundated since Friday, but no serious damage has occurred.