TWO LIVES LOST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 10

TWO LIVES LOST.

BLENHEIM UNDER WATER. (Per Press Association-.) BLENHEIM, May 10. The flood waters now have receded from Blenheim and from the greater ( part of the inundated plains. The town is getting hack to normal, and settlers in the farm areas are beginning to reckon their losses. The Mayor’s relief fund is growing steadily/ many substantial subscriptions coming in. The Lower AVairaw is a scene of desolation and distress. At its height the AVairau River gouged out a great gap in the stop bank in the vicinity of AA~h if tie’s bend, the water tearing, across country in a stream half a mile wide, and inundating practically the the whole of the lower AA'airau. It was the worst flood in the history of the district, farms and homesteads which hitherto have been immune from floods being deeply invaded. That there has been tremendous loss ot stock is borne out by the carcases ol sheep hung up in barbed wire fences. It still is impossible to give any estimate of what the loss will mean. The farms of some of the smaller setters have been to all intent and purposes swept bare. Stacks have been overturned or ruined, and fences are down in all directions. The body of the late Air E. E. Robinson, who was drowned in the flood near Grovetown on Monday night, was recovered this afternoon in about five feet of water. Mr Robinson had thrown off his coat and shoes, and hod evidently struck out from the ca-psir-ed dray in the direction oi Air F. Jones’s house, as the body was found about 75 on that side oi •tlie dray. So far the body of Jack Gledhill. who accompanied Robinson, has not been located Spring Greek has more or less been cleared of water since yesterday, only low-lying areas being affected now. The area immediately around the Ferry Hotel presents perhaps the most desolate and dreary scene in Marlborough. Fences on both sides of the road have been washed out-, and all remaining fences are sagging under the weight- of festooned weeds. At the back of the railway line. Mrs F. Redwood’s property has suffered severely. Her house has been entirely surrounded by water since Alonday until this morning. The stop-bank on the Tua-marina side of the ferry bridge has been broken through in several places over a distance of about a quarter of a mile, and the outlook in the event of a further rise is bad. AATiere the river flooded across the paddocks at one place practically the whole top soil and grass have been removed leaving a broad track like an old river bed. The railway line in the vicinity of Spring Creek its very badly damaged, the ballasting having been washed out here and there over a considerable distance, leaving rails and sleepers hanging in the air. Culverts on tho line also were badly damaged. Roacl communication between Blenheim and Piet-on was effected this morning, and many cars made the joumer to-day. At Tua-marina the flood invaded the hotel to a depth of a foot, and most of the other buildings in the locality suffered severely. The railway line here has been damaged badly, but has been temporarily repaired by means of sleepers and old railway iron. A southerly buster treated Havelock suburban to 9o points of rain. The result was the heaviest flood since October 24. 11)00. Old residents declare it was the highest flood in memory. Considerable damage occurred to fences in the lower lying flats adjoining the river, but there was not much Joss of stock. There have been many slips along the hillsides. This morning it was still impossible to get anywhere within reasonable distance of Dillon’s Point, the whole of the area being inundated and presenting a sorry sight. The water here is receding very slowly, and it is believed it will be several days before the area is clear. There is plenty of evidence that Islington suffered severely, most of the houses being invaded to a depth of two feet, while in some cases the water was even deeper. In the Grovetown district the water has receded a good, deal, but- a large area, extending from Air F. .Jones’s house to the river, is still inundated. It was in this area that the body of Mr Robinson was found. At Lower AVairau Air Saunders and family had a most trying experience in their house, which is near the bank of the AVairau River. The water rose t<o an immense height, and they had to take refuge in the roof, being compelled finally to cut the roof o-pon. with an axe. Tlie house is a fairly old one, and the great pressure made it literally rock. But for the fact t-liat a hig maerooarpa hedge broke t-he current to a certain extent. Air Saunders declares tho place would have been carried cut to sea. The family was rescued yesterday after being without food for some time. Airs Saunders and a four months old baby felt the strain of the experience greatly.