THE GREYMOUTH FLOOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7927, 19 July 1887, Page 4

THE GREYMOUTH FLOOD.

From the Grey River Argus of tho Bth we take the following untelegraphed items :—Most of the residents of tho Terrace who could accommodate anyone—and some who really hud no accommodation to spare—sheltered a houseless contingent, some of the dwelling-places being doubleuauked to an absurd extent. But in extending the rites of hospitality a good deal is overlooked. At the sehoolhouso the refugees got on fairly well until night was falling, and it was seen that ■a' i•mi 7' I mly l>ed clofches- Mr Guinness, with kindly lorethought, sent out to the hospital, and all the available mattresses and blanketsall too few—were brought in. They were very welcome fer the women and children, but they could have dono with a deal more That unhappily, was not the only disagreeable feature ot the night. Some poor-spirited and weak men made the occasion an excuse to partake of more spirits or other liquor than thoy could carry in a wellbehaved manner, and their antics and carryingsmi subsequently need not be enlarged upon. 11 was, however, rather sad to sec, considering that most of them had wives and children under shelter of tho school. These foolish men kept those who wished to sleep awake all night, and buckets of beer were a prominent feature of the scene. In tho circumstances this was not creditable to men of their age and experience.

Amongst the incidents of the flood might be mentioned the indefatigable way in which Messrs Petrie (mayor) and Guinness showed their alacrity in doing all they could for the citizens who had been incommoded by the flood. Both did all that lay in their power to smooth over tho difficulties of those who wero on the lower levels. The mayor did not spare himself in any way, wading from one street to another to see where assistance was required.

Mr W. 11. Lahmau was rescued from his private residence in such a hurry that he left his gold watch and £14 in notes behind him. Ho will not see them any more, as they disappeared.

The railway lino on the north bank was practically obliterated.

The picture in the morning was deplorable. Those whose foundations were the lowest suffered most, and none more than Mr Hunt (Club Hotel) and Mr John Card, whose premises and stables were left in a wretched state by the retiring water. Not a publichouse, ohop, or any other place of business escaped the ravages of the water ; and a more melancholy sight could not be conceived than to see the owners of the properties on Mawhera quay washing out the sludge in the morning as if tho Nile had overflown.

It may be imagined that the rainfall was nothing abnormal, but from Monday evening until yesterday morning at 9 o'clock no less than 6 Oin of rain fell.

A magnificent waterspout was visible on Thursday afternoon a few miles outside the river. It was travelling in a southerly direction.