Floods at Gisborne.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5318, 5 July 1892, Page 1

Floods at Gisborne.

(by Tia,K<!KAPrr.) Gjsboknjs, July 4. It is impossible at present to tell the damage done by the floods. All the lowlying portion of the ilat is covered from two to five feet deep with water. During the greater part of the day the settlers started an early shift of stock and sheep to higher ground. Though many havo lost sheep, the number cannot be ascertained, as everyone has been occupied in the removal. The few families whoso residences arc on low ground left their homes at one o'clock. The .vater broko the road midway between Makauri and Wairangahika, flooding the Makauri flats and discharging flood water down the Taurehu river. As there are a number of small settlers in that block occupied -in dairy farming, their loss of feed for stock will' be severe. In some of the houses the water covered tho floors, but others had two to three feet inside. Tho tido being very high between I and 2 o'clock the water was backed up, and the wliolo country between Espie's corner and Wairangahika was like a sea. About 4 o'clock the big river broke through into an old channel at Awapuni. This relieved the flats generally, and the water fell two feet within an hour. No damage was done about town. Along the coast road all the creeks were swollen and impassable beyond the Turuliu-Wairoa road. Near Craill's gate a heavy slip has taken place, and the bridge there collapsed, breaches being caused in the main road. The middle road through the flats, recently formed and metalled, has been levelled into the drains. This, with tho metal and culverts washed away on other roads, will entail heavy cost to t ho County Council for repairs. There havo been appearances of the weather breaking all afternoon, but it is still drizzling, with a high wind, and a heavy sea in tho bay. News received from Ormond to-night states that the floods are again rising.