THE AUCKLAND FLOODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19801, 28 May 1926, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND FLOODS.

DAMAGE AT THAMES. SOME EXCITING INCIDENTS. (Feom Our Own Correspondent.) THAMES, May 27. Reports from the outlying portions of the Thames County give details of some exciting adventures of settlers during the recent rough weather. These mostly com© from Puketui, which is in the Tairua Riding of the county When the storm was at its height on Thursday night the suspension bridge at Hikuai snapped at the ground level and became a tangled mass in the river. The swollen rivers flooded the roads an dfarms damaging the crops and buildings. Large numbers of cattle were drowned and there are numerous slips and washouts.

The damage and loss of stock is estimated at £SOOO. Mr H. Purdy felt his house moving under the swirling waters, and took refuge on a table. He gripped the rafters and supported himself until the house came to refet half a chain away. Mr Alan Taylor waded out into the night to unloose his dog, leaving the door open On returning he found that a number of cows had occupied the kitchen, and they could not be moved until the morning, when the flood subsided. Mr Bruce Lowe, with his wife and family, fearing for the safety of Lis home, weathered the storm overnight on the top of a water tank. When morning came all but three of his cows had been washed away. Mr Hamlyn lost a number ol cattle and had his crops flooded. Some valuable furniture was rendered useless, but, fortunately, his family were in Auckland. All the settlers struggled hard throughout the night to save what stock they could. Pawanui Beach, at Tairua, is now strewn with dead animals.

The crew and captain of a scow which was loading at Hikuai for Auckland luckily prevented its being stranded in one of the farms along the river. Three travellers had a rough trip from Puriri to Hikuai. Whilst crossing a flooded creek one of their horses cut an artery on one of its legs, and was put out of action. Through pitch darkness the party -walked the remaining nine miles, using the two horses to cross the river and streams. The waters are now subsiding everywhere, and the mail service is being restored.

HUMOROUS SIDELIGHTS.* EFFORTS TO SECURE WATER. (Fnoa Oitb Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, May 27. Many amusing stories are being told of the shifts people were put to by the water shortage during the week-end, but there is a touch of irony, as well as humour, in one incident that occurred at Edendale—■ one of ’he flooded districts. A party had been arranged for last Saturday evening, and duly eventuated in spite of the inclement weather. Among the provisions brought by the party was a largo demijohn, which was placed proudly in tho centre of the floor with the remark: “Vt e have brought our own water.” As tho house was practically surrounded by water, tho ironv of the situation was not lost on the host “and hostess, with whom the guests joined in hearty laughter. “Carrying coals to Newcastle” is no more absurd than, carrying wgter to Edendale in wet weather. Another good water famine story is told. An old Aucklander who had a supplv of water during the shortage last Sunday, filled 30 benzine tins and placed them on the verandah of his house with a ticket marked; “Please help yourselves.” Ha was away from home all day, and on returning in the evening he found all too water was gone, including the tins. So far only one person has thought to return aa empty tin, but the gentleman did not intend to make a present of the tins-