The Floods in the Lower Valley.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1834, 19 May 1886, Page 3

The Floods in the Lower Valley.

Tbe Buamahonga has not been so much in flood for some years as during the last few days. On Sunday the south east rain storm which continued all tbe day incessantly canted the river to swell to mch an extent as to completely submerge tbe road on either side of tbe Waihenga bridge The road on the Feathcnton side of tbe bridge near tbe tailgate was under water very nearly up to tbe gate; on either side of tbe toll every creek and baek pood being swollen to such an extent as to cause the toad to present the appearance of a lagoon tome acres in area. On the other side of the bridge the overflow spread across tbe land with alarming rapidity and iu such volume that tbe two large culverts which have hitherto served their purpose were completely carried away, leaving two very ugly ehaams in the road and rendering tbe traffic for the time impossible. On Monday ibis state of affairs continued, and one venturesome traveller Mr J O'Keefe, who attempted to eroea tbe first culvert fell beadlong into the abyss, and hot for the fortunate circumstance of being washed up against a wire fence, which canght bun under the chin, be would moet probably (not being a swimmer) have been carried out to the nver and drowned. On Monday night the waters sab. sided to a great extent, and yesterday the Road Board authorities with commendable promptitude, set a number of men to work to repair tbe broach in the road, and last evening they had so far proceeded with them work as to render tbe first culvert temporary sale for crossing. The next culvert will require to be aabatitnted by a long bridge, aa another sol vert an the same principle aa tbe one destroyed, would be practically useless, bat in the meantime Mr John Martin, jun., has consented, providing that his wire fence is shifted back, to allow the traffic to cross his land nntil the defeat in the road is repaired. Tbe Bramah unga Kiver ia not alone to blame for the destruction ceased at this point, as it appeals that just at this particular vicinity its tributary the Whangaroa River from across tbe plain, which at ordinary times is merely a bannlem creek, pay* its tribute to its larger eoa temporary. Mr Tilson informs oar reporter that ha baa reaided in tbe district for over 20 yean, and he has not seen the Whangaroa so formidable for 14 yean at least. On this occasion Ur Tilson has been a sufferer to a gnat axtoat, as hi* land has been almost entirely submerged, and at one time there was maefa danger of his boose being swept sway by tbs surging current. Mr Tilson’«land at Moiki has been for some yean remarkable for its prolific nature, much of which has besn doe to|tbe rich silting* of former .floods, and even on this occasion, on account of the short duration of tbe flood, there is no danger of its deteriorating in quality, and Ur Tilson informs n* that a day’s submersion is not always an injury to him, when it ocean at this season of the year. At the breach in the road our reporter met Mr W. Skeet. the engineer to the Road Board, and that gentleman creased safely the first culvert with his brake, and negociated the second scouring by making a detour. Mr Skeet and our representative wen tbe first to open tbe communication from this side. On reaching Uarlinboroogh travellers from the Lower Valley gave information that jnst this side of the Otaraia so so late as last evening tbe water waa over tbe posts of the fences, and a gentleman just arrived from tbe direction, affirmed that half a mile on tbe other side of tbe Dry River tbe flood was np to tbe saddle flaps. This would be near the sheep yards. There was also a report that the bridge at Tankersley’s Creek had succumbed, but this was contradicted. Tbe Ruamadiunga last night was ■till in great fresh, and another such a day as Sunday within a week would replace matters in this district in the same lamentable condition. A shooting party that proceeded from Greytown and Martinborongh to tbe Lower Ferry are not likely to be able to return for some days. Mr Deering, the overseer to the Road Board, waa most energetic in directing the repairs and damages.