THE FLOODS IN HAWKES BAY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3571, 25 March 1880, Page 3

THE FLOODS IN HAWKES BAY.

IMMENSE DAM AGE TO ROADS AND RAILWAYS. jN APisn, Tuo«dny, Tho principle floods occurred in the Clivo District, owing to the blocking of the Tuki Tuki river's moiilh. The wet weather experienced last week culminated on hiturday, when a terrific rainstorm passed over tho country, doing immense damage to the ronds mid railway line, and causing loss of lifo amongst live stock. The principal losses appear to have fallen on tho settlers on tho Plains lying between Ngaruaroro and Tuki Tuki river. From tho mouth of the latter, as far inland as Mr Sutton's property at Big Bush, The Tuki Tuki fortunately was tho only river that overflowed its bunks, for had the Ngaruroro been equally flooded it is impossible to calculate the losses that would havo ensued. As it was, the overflow of the TuiriTuki stretched to West Olive, and poured over the banks of the Ngaruroro in a cataract below Oonroy's slaughtering establishment, tearing away land, and leaving huge gups which now form backwaters of the Kgarnrnro, ,

At West Olive, in.an hotel situated on comparatively'high ground, tho water is three feet deep on the lower floor, and on the opposite side of tho road there was fully eight feet depth of water. Mr Lascelles' place was entirely submerged, the family Laving to seek shelter in the upper storey. A boat manned by four men pulled from house to bouse, and rendered assistance required, and though heavily-laden, floated easily above the fenoes.

Some of the settlers on the borders of submerged land were enabled to save a few head of sheep and cattle, but the numbers saved were but trifling compared to those drowned. Last night the rain re-commenced, and a falling glass gave promise of more wet weather, but the rirer yesterday cut a passage to sea. It is hoped that the worst of the flood has been seen. Constable Raymond reports water in and around Hastings and Bavelock on Sunday higher than it has been for years, but no serious damage resulted. Yesterday the flood was rapidly subsiding, Gangs of men were at work all Sunday and yesterday repairing the railway line, but communication cannot possibly be restored to-day, and it may bo several days before the trains can run to Kopua. In the meantime they run as far as the line will permit. Jit Waipukurua the flood was greater than it had been known since the township was founded. On Sunday the water rose eight inches more in Smith's store, making a total of a foot in the establishment. This is six or seven feet higher than any flood of late yearß, 'I he telegraph wires being down beyond Waipukurua, I am unable to ascertain the damage up country. A brief telegram states that the damage at Porangahau and Seventy Mile Bush is immense. '1 he water at Olive threatens to rise again. No communication is yet possible with Colonel Whitmore's Olive Grange estate, but it is believed Mrs Whilmore and servants aro all safe. The Colonel is in Wellingion,

The fljods are breaking out again at Olive, 'i he settlers were removing their cattle and clearing out. The loss of live stock at Olive is not so great as at first supposed. The chief losses sustained are Conroy, butcher, £300 in pigs aud sheep ; Beck, storekeeper, damage to goods £100; Thornton, storekeeper, £50; Bennett, baker, £80; McTntyre, £200. Crawley's Market Garden is quite destroyed. The harbour is quite closed up, and there has been no communication with vessels in roadsteads since Sunday.