THE POVERTY BAY FLOODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 5

THE POVERTY BAY FLOODS.

SOME TRYING EXPERIENCES. (Pf.h United Pmss Association.! GISBORNE, July 21. Henry Tiffen, who reached Whatatutu from Arowhana this morning, reports that, whilst his brother and two other men ivho were engulfed in a- landslide have recovered tho condition of Mrs Merett was found to' be such when the doctor reached her yesterday that amputation of one of hot legs had to, bo performed. All had suffered very much with cold and exposure. It is a miracle that tho party escaped with their lives, as tho house—a fine dwelling'of eight rooms—was completely engulfed and destroyed. Only the roof is now visible, and it is four or five chains away from the original site. The hill camo down without warning, and tho occupants suddenly found themselves expelled by a- rush of stones and water into a maelstrom of debris, in which they wore embedded up to their necks. They had great difficulty in extricating themselves, and when they succeeded in reaching tho woolshed, where they covered themselves with wool and woolpacks to gain warmth, they were in- a truly desperate plight.

Tho weather in the backblocks has been severe. At Arowhana Station 3ft of snow fell, and the roof of the largo woolshed was broken in by the weight of it. Tho snow all melted in one night, which was Whakarau (unaware of the flood on tho river. All down the valley fences havo been carried away by flood and other dam. age done.

Tho sufferers by the iand slide are recovering. Mrs Merrctt, however, has had to havo lier leg amputated.

I July 22. Numerous exciting incidents in connection with the recent flood arc reported from inland. Councillor W. I). S. M'Donald, a well-known shecp-farmer, set out from Whakarau (unaware of tho flood ou thn plain) on Thursday, riding ono horse and leading a pack-horse. He got into a big hole that had been washed out in the river, and had a hard struggle. He held on to one horse, which, however, wont under several times, and ho had to keep clear, but ho got a kick on tho lip. The force of the kick 'had been spoilt, and Mr McDonald's lip was only slightly split. Things had become very serious, but in the torrent there was a wire from a damaged telephone line, which Mr M'Donald grasped, and gradually struggled to higher ground, and also saved his horse. Tho pack-horse reached the opposite bank. Atr Samuel Baker also bad an exciting adventure. Ho war. ridine in from the Motu district with a clergyman, whom ho took over what lie thought to be safe ground, and had a (lesponlo struggle. Onlv for the help' at hand his plight would have been hopeless at one crossing. A pack-horse carrying tho mail was swept down the stream, and was rescued with difficulty with tho aid of a boat. There is much damage to roails. One carrier has norm blocked up for days with over a dozen horses, which he is finding difficull to sunplv with food. Motu and Rnkauroa both had a bad time. 'At the latter place the snow was 3ft deep. There are no details to hand from Motu. The coastal mail contractors are having a roii7.h time. On Friday Redstone and Son had as many as 28 horses on the oast road. The coach from Tologa got into difficulties. Another sent from town to assist had. a mishap, and finally an express was sent out and brought in the mails.