GREAT FLOODS IN NAPIB DISTRICT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11901, 8 December 1893, Page 2

GREAT FLOODS IN NAPIB DISTRICT.

[Per Press Association.] Navieb, December 7. The flood water is rapidly subsididg in all directions, and a better view is now given of the great loss the settlers have suffered at Clive, Meanee, I'npakura, and elsewhere. Travelling through the district winch was flooded, /lolling meeta Uie eye but dead sheep nnri wittle, and destroyed crops, to say of the ruined homes of Clive settlers. The body of Mr MeFarlane has been recovered. In connection with this accident a Maori named Haratoa committod a heroic act by swimming the torrent o? rushing waters and rescuing one of the mon who were trying to save fcho bridge, Another Maori went in on horseback, and rescued a third man. Regarding the drowning of Mr Clare at Marekakaho, further particulars ahow that he was seen floating helplessly down the stream on horseback. The last the terrified spectators at tbe Accomodation house sa-v was the man rolling over and over until he eventually disappeared, After serious interruption in the railway traffic the lines have been repaired, and the trains resumed running to Heatings yesterday. The thousands of head of cattle drowned represent a great loss both to large and small farmers, but it is doubtful whether the loss to crops is not o larger one. Later. Increase of local llolicf Fund. Number of Natives Kemlercd Destitute Burial of Dead Stock. Enthusiastic Public Meeting nt Weilington. Substantial Relief to be Sent. Njweb, December 1. Up to noon .8550 had been collected for the flood sufferers exclusive of country lißts. A large number of boxes of Nothing of all kinds, bread, tinned meats, &c, have been sent out to relieve tee temporary wants of the people, but a great deal will have to be done to put tbe Bottlers on their feet again. Jfony people who look to harvesting to bring them in a little are also sufferers, as the harvesting now to be done in the flooded places will require employment no longer. A Maori rode to town this morning and stated that 27 natives at MataMwi ware thoroughly destitute, as their stock and crops are destroyed, and, being ia actual want, a cartload of food haa been despatched. Their condition could not previoualy be ascertained, the roads being impassable. At Clive to-day the work of buryina the dead is busily proceeding, but owing* to the great quantity of sheep and cattle' drowned it will take some time before all will be cleared away. Wellington, December 7. The Premier has wired a message of sympathy to t'ae Mayor of Clivo and other places flooded in Jtawke's Bay, and offered to send up a detachment of torpedo mea to assist the settlers in restoring order in their homes if necessary. A public meeting, at which there was a fair attendance, wag held in. the City Council Chambers this afternoon to consider what steps should bo taken to afford relief to sufferers by the floods in the Hawke's Bay district. The M&yor, Mr H. D. Bell, M H.R., presided, and considerable enthusiam vas shown. Full arrangements were made for canvassing the whole of the city, and a meet'ng of ladies was arranged for an earJy date, Over <£IGO was subscribed in the room, Mr Bell heading thb list with a donation of ,820. [ Latest. ! About £900 baa bepn collected, but at least £200 will be noaded to meet requireinont<3.