THE HAWKE'S BAY FLOODS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4818, 5 December 1893, Page 3

THE HAWKE'S BAY FLOODS.

«. Widespread Desolation. Loss of Life. [Per Pbess Association.} NAPIER, Dec. 5. Never ia the history of Hawke's Bay .aa such desolation been wrought aa by he floods, consequent on the heavy rain rhich has been falling since Friday. Tapier is free of danger, but Clive and leanee are nothing but one huge mass of rater. Hayfields, potatoes and crops in irneral all met the same disaster, and be farmei'3 are now Bailing in boats t Meanee. The scene is saddening and itiable in the extreme. The residents there ad aa anxious time last night. People aft their homes to seek refuge on highying places. At Meanee the river bank aye way in five places at nine o'clock last Light, causing a perfect rush of water over he flat locality. At Olive things are just ,s bad. Boats have been despatched to ender assistance. The train cannot run urther than Clive, as all railway traffic on he Napier line was completely stopped o-day. It is not known yet whether there s any loss of life ; but it is feared that a ;reat many cattle have been drowned. At ?e Ante the road has been blooked by slips or half a mile. A portion of the Omahu iridge has been washed away. Reports from Eastings state that fire oen were upon the Omahu bridge intendng to place a lamp on if", but finding it baking they leaped back just in time. Che river is above the floor oE the railway >ridge at Whakatu, near Hastings, and 'ears are entertained for its - safety. The >nly part of Hastings flooded is that conlected with the drain, the mouth of which vas blocked by the river. Tho new road to Taradale is almost impassable for about a mile, there being ieveral feet of water on it. While enieavouring to cross on a butcher's cart ibis morning, the Rev O. Douglas, Preabyierian Minister, was drowned. The current sras bo strong over the roadway that it ;apsized the cart and washed away the )ody, which has not been recovered. Clive md Meanee are one etfetch of water. The people have been taken away from their louses in boats. Latest. The police wired from Clive this afterloon that the majority of the residents save now removed from their homes to i>he hotel and had saved nothing. Accommodation has been arranged for a number >f sufferers in Napier. Extra food supplies are being despatched to Clive. The Mayor is taking steps to alleviate immediate distress. WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. The Superintendent of Telegraphs has received information that two 60ft spans of the Waipawa railway bridge were swept away at 8.25 o'clock last night; also three chains of the embankment. The railway line is damaged near Pakipaki, and a mile j of permanent way washed out near Te j Ante. There are numerous slips on the , line, extending over a distance of sevex* •

teen miles from Waipa«v». A temporary bridge will be constructed at "Waipawa, | but ib will be several days before traffic is resinned. _______________ _____