DISASTROUS FLOODS.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11686, 23 July 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

DISASTROUS FLOODS.

SETTLERS BE&Qtt'RD BY

BOATS

HEAVY LOSSES OF SHEEP.

(Per United Press Association).

Gisborfle, July 17. The heavy easterly gale and rain continue. The Waipawa river over* flowed its banks last night, and the Poverty Bay flats are inundated with one of the heaviest floods ever known.

The lands at Waerengiahika and Makuri are ten feet under water. Fences have been destroyed, and many stock have been drowned. Seven or eight boats have been sent out from town, and a number of settlers were rescued from precarious positions. Some of the brats are unsuitable for good work, their keels catching in the wire fences.

About Waerengiahika 2000 sheep were drowned, and in Makuri 1200 others.

Ormond is cut off from communication by road with Gisborne, the river having broken through there, and ife is running like a mill-race towards Gisborne.

The bridges across the river at Taruheru, at Nelson Bros.' works, was swept away with the sand pump dredges attached to it. and it crashed through the footbridge at Carnarvon street. Fortunately it was here suspended, otherwise it would assuredly have done damage to the other town bridges. Mr and Mrs T. King, of Makuri, were rescued from the roof of their dwelling, from which they were fiing guns to atract attention. Tnere was eight feet of water in their house.

Some of the settlers have lost heavily in their milking stock. Horses and cattle are to be seen swimming about ia all directions, and. drays sent to rescue them were bumping about amongst the bodies of drowned sheep. At Ormond a settler named Boland was isolated on a small island, and the settlers are making a raft to rescue him.

The train was able to proceed only three miles out to-day, the railway line for several miles being under water, with many washouts.

Later, 10.45 p.m. The flood is the severest in the memory of the oldest inhabitants. The losses of stock and damages to properties will represent many thousands of pounds. The promptitude with which boats and relief parties were despatched were the means of saving many human lives. The boats, after the settlers were rescued, were employed in saving stock. The whole country from the Matawhere bridge to Makauri, and from the Makaraka Hotel to Ormond township was several feet under water. Nelson Brothers' new bridge, with the dredge and punt? came sweeping down the river, and came into collision with a great crash with the footbrdge at the Recreation Ground, part of the latter on tne southern side being carried away. The structures remained entangled sufficiently long to enable lines to be got out, and they were secured. The firm of Nelson Brothers will be very heavy losers, many casks of tallow, and empty casks, were washed away, besides which much damage was done to their property. In many places in the country the fences and hedges were completely out of sight. The boats found from six to eight feet of water on the roads. In less than one hundred yards over two hundred dead calves and cows were passed. The first

house passed was submerged up to the windows, and the inhabitants had long since left. Pumpkins, maize and poultry were floating about. The tops of the outbuildings lying a little distance from the house were just showing out of the water, whilst dead pigs were entangled in the top wire of the fences. Horses were also floating about on this property, and the whole place showed only too plainly to those in the boats what a flood" meant to the owner, and how what was one day a smiling homestead could the next be turned into a scene of the umost ruination. Everything in the hov e had been left, but was being washed hither and thither by the rush of water. There was the same experience regarding many other bouses. At Makauri, Mrs McCulloughs and her daughter could not be persuaded to leave their house, although the water was over the floors. At Wairengoahika the water was over the floors of the hotel, and increased in depth during the night. At Ormond there is some danger that the river ■will change to an old course. A man named Jack Bolan, who was isolated on a small piece of land, was rescued with great difficulty. At Makauri a settler named Scott was aroused by the whining of his drowning dog, and he got his wife and child away safely from the dangerous position. At Whatatatu some of the settlers had to wade waist deep to reach refuge. There is general interruption of communication, and it is impossible yet to give any estimate of the loss, as nearly all the settlers on the plain will lose to some extent, and some very heavily. Tonight an old footbridge across the Waikanae Creek was carried away. Until nine o'clock to-night the danger was increasing, but the rivers are now falling steadily. The weather is now squally, but the rain is abating.

Yesterday afternoon a boat put ashore from the steamer Haupiri, lying in the roadstead, for instructions, but on returning could not make the ship, owing to the strong sweep of the flood waters in the Bay. The boat was run on to Waikanae beach, all hands being safe.

11.55 p.m.

To-night there was an inrush of flood water into the Waikanae stream, dividing the town from the beach and Victoria township. The water has evidently broken through from the Amapoun lagoon. A second bridge, Grey street, has been carried away, and there is erosion of railway material from the railway bridge, but there is no danger, excepting as to the small bridges, the town being well above any risk of flood.

There seems little chance of tend ering the s.s. Moura in the morn ing.

Gisborne, July 18.

This morning the flood waters are subsiding, and the condition of the country uncovered is a sea of mud. ! It is difficult yet to estimate the losses that have been sustained, but many of the small farmers have suffered heavily.

The heaviest losers in Makauri from the floods are G. Barron, 12,000 sheep, and Thomas, market gardener, sheep and vegetables valued at £450. There are a number of smaller losses.

The Waerengaahika settlers who suffered most were Jones Bros., who lost a number of sheep and cattle and a fine crop of maize, and a threshing machine. A number of others losfr from 50 to 100 sheep each. F. Teitjen lost his maize crop.

The roads are now open to horse traffic. A butcher's cart came to grief this morning at Espine's corner, the driver being swept overboard and washed against the fence.

When the flood rose again last nigot a settler named Harper, living alone, was rescued from the top of a box on a sofa in his house. There is silt a foot deep in bis house this morning, and this applies to many other residences.

Mr MfiCullogh, the largest, milk supplier to the factory, saved till his cows, being engaged in rescuing them all this morning. Patutahi township was flooded, and communication therewith was obtained only his morning.

The damage on Ihe railway consists of the approaches to tnree bridges being washed away and two miles of ballasting washed out. Forty men are at work effecting repairs, and it is expected that they will restore communication in a week or ten days.

All reason for anxiety now seems past. A large area is covered with silt, and much water remains on the low-lying lands. Many narrow escapes are reported. One settler,

whilst engaged in rescuing stock, was washed off his horse. He could not BWim, but hung on to bin horse's tail, and thus was dragged out of danger. At Patutahi tbe young men turned out in force on horseback, and rescued a number of the settlers and their families. The extraordinary height of the flood waters endangered some stock, which at first were considered to be safe. Among the contributions telegraphed to the Belief Fund is ten guineas from Messrs L. D. Nathan and Go. The same firm has sent live guineas for the orphan children of tbe late' Captain Nicholas. Gisborne, July 20.

The Timber Uompany's fc ridge at Tapuhikatia, above Karaka, has been washed away. It cost £700. At Terata, 40 miles inland, a huge landslip completly smothered the station house of Mr F. A. Tiffen, at 10 o'clock on Monday night. Mr Tiffen. a married couple named Merritt, and a shepherd were imprisoned in the wreck for several hours, until a flooded torrent swept through and washed them out amongst the gravel Mr Titfen and Mrs Merritfc had their legs badly torn, and the other two people were severly knocked about. They crawled for hours to a wool shed, and ere they reached it they had all their cloth as torn off. They were found at 10 o'clock on Tuesday, wrapped up in wool sacks, all suffering intensely. They were carried to Arowhana Station, a mile distant, and thence to a doctor. Mr Tiffen and Mrs Merritt are reported to be in rather a bad way. Napier, July 17. Exceptionally heavy rain has fallen throughout the district since Saturday night, but fortunately the ground was in a very dry condition and readily absorbed the surface) water. The rivers are running very high, but as the rain is ceasing off no serious trouble is anticipated. Reports from Tarawera, on 'the Taupo road, state that the most severe snowstorm ever experienced there occurred on Saturday and Sunday. The depth on the main road varies from two feet to seven feet.

Later.

Z= , . 1 1 whilst engaged in rescuing stock, was washed off his horse. He could not swim, but hung on to hitt horse's tail, and thus was dragged out of danger. At Patutahi the young men turned out in force on horseback, and rescued a number of the settlers and their families. The extraordinary height of the flood waters endangered some stock, which at first were considered to be safe. Among the contributions telegraphed to the Belief Fund is ten guineas from Messrs L. D. Nathan and Go. The same firm has sent live guineas for the orphan children of tbe late' Captain Nicholas. Gisborne, July 20. The Timber Uompany's fc ridge at Tapuhikatia, above Karaka, has been washed away. It cost £700. At Terata, 40 miles inland, a huge landslip completly smothered the station house of Mr F. A. Tiffen, at 10 o'clock on Monday night. Mr Tiffen, a married couple named Merritt, and a shepherd were imprisoned in the wreck for several hours, until a flooded torrent swept through and washed them out amongst the gravel Mr Titfen and Mrs Merritfc had their legs badly torn, and the other two people were severly knocked about. They crawled for hours to & wool shed, and ere they reached it they had all their cloth as torn off. They were found at 10 o'clock on Tuesday, wrapped up in wool sacks, all suffering intensely. They were carried to Arowhana Station, a mile distant, and thence to a doctor. Mr Tiffen and Mrs Merritt are reported to be in rather a bad way. Napier, July 17. Exceptionally heavy rain has fallen throughout the district since Saturday night, but fortunately the ground was in a very dry condition and readily absorbed the surfacd water. The rivers are running very high, but as the rain is ceasing off no serious trouble is anticipated. Reports from Tarawera, on 'the Taupo road, state that the mosfc severe snowstorm ever experienced there occurred on Saturday and Sunday. The depth on the main road varies from two feet to seven feet. Later. The heavy rain, which began on. Saturday afternoon and has continued intermittently since, has now* practically ceased. A heavy sea is still running in the bay, disorganising the shipping. The s.s. Tarawera put in an appearance from Gisborne at 8.30 a.m., but so far has been unable to communicate, and is waiting outside in hope of a favorable chance to-morrow. The rivers here were in high Hood, but are now going down, and the surface water in the low lying country is subsiding. No serious damage has as yet been reported. Owing to the flooded state of the railway line between Hastings and Farndon, the mails and passengers had to be coached round the gap, and did not arrive at Napier till 10.5 p.m., three hours and a quarter late. Napier, July 18. Owing to the sea showing no jugnsi of abatement the Union- Company has decided to instruct the Tarawera and Moura to proceed on to Wellington and Gisborne respectively, and the overcarried passengers will ba returned on the first opporutnity. Hastings, July 17. , The heavy rain continues, and the* low-lying portions of the country are under water. The rivers are all in high flood, but no immediate danger is anticipated. Stock have been removed from danger, and no losses ! are reported. Over five inches of rain have fallen since Saturday at noon, and ill is still raining heavily. Woodville. July 17. The weather for the past week has been boisterous, with continued rain. The Manawatu River is in high flood, and is still rising. A stnaall slip occurred at the Gorge this morning. The weather outlook at present is not at all prom is i ng. Palmerston North July 19. In consequence of heavy floods in the Manawatu and Oroua rivers, a portion of the railway line at Oroua bridge and Bainesse between here and Foxton is several feet under water, on that section temporarily suspending traffic. A large tract of country at Oroua Downs is also under water. Through the undulating nature of the land it has enabled stock to find places of safety and no losses in this respect are expected, .

The heavy rain, which began oil Saturday afternoon and has continued intermittently since, has now* practically ceased. A beayy sea is still running in the bay, disorganising the shipping. The s.s. Tarawera put in an appearance from Gisborne at 8.30 a.m., but so far has beea unable to communicate, and is waiting outside in hope of a favorable chance to-morrow.

The rivers here were in high Hood, but are now going down, and the surface water in the low lying country is subsiding. No serious damage has as yet been reported. Owing to the flooded state of the railway line between Hastings and Farndon, the mails and passengers had to be coached round the gap, and did not arrive at Napier till 10.5 p.m., three hours and a quarter late. Napier, July 18. Owing to the sea showing no ,sign 9 of abatement the Union- Company has decided to instruct the Tarawera and Moura to proceed on to Wellington and Gisborne respectively, and the overcarried passengers will be returned on the first opporutnity.

Hastings, July 17. , The heavy rain continues, and thel low-lying portions of the country are under water. The rivers are all in high flood, but no immediate danger is anticipated. Stock have been removed from danger, and no losses are reported. Over five inches of rain have fallen since Saturday at noon, and iH is still raining heavily.

Woodville. July 17. The weather for the past week has been boisterous, with continued rain. The Manawatu River is in high flood, and is still rising. A stnaall slip occurred at the Gorge this morning. The weather outlook at present is not at all promisi ng.

Palmerston North July 19.