LOSS OF LIFE AT THE TOTARA STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 846, 15 February 1868, Page 5

LOSS OF LIFE AT THE TOTARA STATION.

Mr Robert M'Aulay, the manager of that station, writing to Messrs Douglas, Alderson, and Co., on Wednesday, says, " It is my painful duty to report to you a fearful catastrophe that visited us on Monday night, about 11 o'clock. The Waiareka stream, which passes our house, rose all of a sudden about two feet into our house ; aud on looking out, the carpenter's house, the blacksmith's house, and the smithy had disappeared. In the carpenter's house were Robert Louden, carpenter ; Mrs Louden, James Louden (son), and a little orphan girl. In the blacksmith's house were James Glass, blacksmith ; Thos. Richardson, laborer ; James Waddell, ploughman ; Robert Young, laborer ; Peter Dunn, ploughman ; all of whom were drowned. Six of the ploughmen encamped in the Waiareka paddock were awoke by a little dog yelping, and found themselves in water. After escaping from the house they joined hands, and by great exertion got on to high ground. The mill has suffered little damage. The two fellmongeries, Messrs Lees and Crowther's, and another on the Kakanui, were completely swept away. The loss of stock is not yet known. Dead sheep are strewn along the sea beach and sides of the creeks. All the bodies of those drowned have been found except those of Peter Dunt> and the little girl."

Sergeant Bullen's report to the Commissioner of Police states that the girl's name was Annie Smith. Inquests had, on Wednesday, been held on the seven bodies, by Mr T. W. Parker, R.M., Coroner, :<nd a verdict of " Accidentally drowned was returned in each case.

On Tuesday, the Sergeant wrote that the Waiareka creek was lft. above the bridge ; and that the Kakanui was over its banks, and covering the plain on either side.

Another letter with which we have been favored by Messrs Douglas, Alderson, and Co. is from Mr D. MEwing, who reports that at the Moeraki station, no loss had been sustained from the floods.