DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6871, 22 April 1897, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) Napier, April 21. Local subscriptions to the flood relief fund are coming in freely, with many donations of clothings bedding, and other necessaries. Judge Ward sent L2l from Hokitika. In the Magistrate's Court to-day Mr Turnbull, S.M., referred feelingly to the loss of Sergeant O'Donovan and Constable Stephenson, whom he eulogised as most painstaking capable officers. Constable Baskiville has returned from an inspection of the coast line, but found no trace of the missing men. It is rather remarkable that two floodedout settlers have since lost their houses by fire. Mr Hall-J ones held a consultation with the chairman of the County Council, the Mayor of Napier, and the leading citizens and engineers. The principal question discussed was as to whether the wash-out at Waitangi should be bridged or an embankment formed, and the general opinion was in favor of a bridge. In the meantime Mr Hall-Jones promised to restore communication as quickly as possible, probably by means of a temporary diversion of the line. He and Mr Houston, M.H.R., afterwards left to visit the flooded-out district. He has already taken steps to have a punt placed on the Upper Mohaka on the Taupo line pending the reconstruction of the bridge. In order to find some particulars of the connections of Mr Rose, drowned in one of the boat's crews, search was made amongst his effects. His address was found to be : "John Rose, J. Smith and Co., 305, George street, Sydney." It was gathered that he had a wife and two children. The wife has been communicated with.