HOMES RUINED.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13182, 14 February 1936, Page 4

HOMES RUINED.

SETTLERS* TERRIBLE PLIGHT.

TOLL OF THE HURRICANE

Electric Telegraj>K—iPress Ass. < iation HAWERA, Last Night.

Hundreds of seagulls screaming in flight or squabbling raucously over the carcases of sheep an all ing stench which filled the atmosphere for miles from thick deposits of silt overlaying formerly rich pastures dust sweeping under doors and inhaled at every breath, womenfolk on the verge of tears in the courageous struggle to restore to their wrecked homes a measure of comfort and orderliness. These are but a few of the impressions gained by a reporter who visited Ngutuwera Valley near Waver ley, a back district which faced badly 111 the disastrous storm of ten days ago. The flood waters of the Ngutuwera and Omahina streamf swept from the upper reaches down the valley in a raging torrent only to meet water backed up in the Wai-totaa-a river by the sea. The flood spread from the hillside and remained for nearly twelve hours. Today the valley still reveals a scene of utter desolation. Districts elsewhere lost buildings, bridges and roads which are a matter of straight-forward reconstruction, but in this small sector of Waverley hinterland settlers have almost a hopeless task dealing with silt deposits several reet deep in places. Conditions at the Maori settlement are deplorable where the natives have continued to occupy their homes and pneumonia has occurred. Efforts aire being made to have 1 amilies removed to AY aitotara and narrow paths have been dug through the silt to provide the only access The winter food supplies of 1 and corn are buried. One dwelling cannot be approached because ot the presence under the floor of between 30 and 40 dead fowls. The tennis court was defined only by its collapsed enclosure a net is buried to the top in mud. Near a house, bedding was hung out to dry, while the windows and doors

stood open for the wind to blow through. Several families are —rii L reclaiming treasured possessions trom the silt which is feet deep in many homes, for during the height of the flood, Water raced through them in a raging torrent to pour out through through windows and doors. Access to many settlers’ residences was possible only by tracks cut in the rand and 'for days some were unable to get their milk to the factory. One farmer has given up his herd for the season as his land is completely covered with silt. Five miles inland on the AA'ai-totaira-Ngainatapouri Road. which extends for 40 miles into the /'back of beyond,’’ there is a total lack of communication. To-day it. is hoped to establish a horse track through the worst localities and tliu, enable necessities to be taken in. People milking cows in some : the baekbloeks areas are still this wing the milk away and farmers ar experiencing increasing difficulty in ctting cast ewes up and sending wethers into the markets.