DISASTER TO BLENHEIM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 9

DISASTER TO BLENHEIM.

MUCH L-STRESS EXISTS. (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, May 11. Speaking at a meeting 01 me Borough Council last mgin, the Mayor said that the flood was the gravest disaster that had ever beialien me uis--1 riot. Some settlers in the Vt hitlls’s Bend locally had lost everything on their farms, and some might lose even lainis unless the locai authorities were successful in turning the water back to its original channels. In other parts of the district the losses were not so severe and could be made up. In Blenheim the working people Lad sui lered severely. It was stated that some people were sleeping on wet beds. In this comic turn the .Mayor stated that the Roman Catholic' authorities had given the use oi hit. Patrick's Hall and he Hospital Board had promise-1 to provide'blankets. A Red Cross offer was received from "Wellington of assistance in clothing, etc. Lord {Jellieoe wired his sympathy and regret at the serious damage done and the consequent distress. Offers of assistance have been received from all over the country, including the Mayor and councillors of Vic ton. Money is coming 111 freely for the pm pose f the relief funds, but this will be only a drop in the ocean of distress and peed. The body of John Ernest G led hill, one of the victims of the Grovetoun tragedy, was found about- a chain from the’ spot where Robinson’s body was recovered. An inquest was held last evening, and a verdict of accidentally drowned was returned. The countryside generally is in an awful moss. Road communication has been opened up between Pioton and Blenheim, and traffic is able to get through, but railway traffic is still dislocated owing to washouts. The business people are getting clown to normal again.