FLOODS AT NELSON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 1 February 1899, Page 2

FLOODS AT NELSON.

LATER

MUCH DAMAGE DONE AT COLLINGWOOD. (Per Press Association.) NELSON. January 31. The Colliiigwood correspondent of the Colonist telegraphs that the heaviest flood known in the district for many years is being experienced. The river Aorere rose to an extraordinary height, and the residents of Ferntown have had to be taken from their houses. Durhig the work of rescue Mrs. Patterson's baby was drowned. Two of the bridges have been .washed away at Bainham, and this will interfere with the traffic to the Quartz Ranges. Mr. Thos. Brewer, at Kaitumi, has had about 40 sheep drowned. The river rose such a height that Mr. James's house, at Bainham, .tending, 3D feet above the ordinary level of the river, was flooded. Much damage has been done all over the district, aud it is feared that the loss of cattle and sheep is considerable. In consequence of the weather at Golden Bay, the Agricultural Show has been postponed till Thursday. The weather at Nelson is very threatening.

VOLUNTEERS AT WORK. A MOTHER'S SAD EXPERIENCE. Later information re the flood at Col-lingwootL-states. that a great amount of atimber and driftwood was brought down by the Aorere River, and orewa of vessels and volunteeis were kept busy all Monday night keeping timber from striking the vessels. William Westrupp, a fisherman, of Ferntown, got out with his boat when the Hootcame down, and worked like a Trojan to save the people. Mrs Patterson was carrying two children, one under each arm, to the boat, when sho slipped and dropped the baby, nine months old, and it was carried away by the current. -The other child was saved. It is feared that very serious diinage has been done * ¥ The schooner Morning Light was towed out to Takaka on Monday, bound for Lyttelton. She must have had a dirty night. The schooner Clyde, from Dunedin, entered Colliiigwood ; also the Emma Sims from Kaiapoi, both on Mouday.