Our Illustrations.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 21, 18 November 1908, Page 15

Our Illustrations.

HEAVY FLOODS AT HYDERA-BAD-DECCAN, INDIA. An unprecedentedly devastating flood has caused heavy loss of life and property at .Hyderabad, the capital of his Highness the Nizam. Rain had fallen in torrents for 30 hours, during which time 15 inches had been registered, and was still steadily falling when on the niom-jng-of Sunday, September . 27, a huge volume of water from the Husain Saugor Tank, a lake seven miles in circumference, tile surface of which is 30 feet above the level of Hyderabad, hulled itself down the valley of the little river Mousi, which flows between the cit.v and the British Residency, and .spread itself over an area of ten square miles, causing immense loss of life and property. The torrential rain continued till noon on Monday, and the flood had .completely isolated Hyderabad. J he work of rescue was strenuously carried on by means of boats and elephants on the Residence side, but the city was quite isolated 'by a torrent of raging waters, and communication could only be carried on by signals. On Tuesday, the rain had eeased, and the flood subsided as rapidly as it had come down. A number of European and native officials hastened to the help of H.H. the Nizam’s troops and police, who had been doing all in their power to, rescue the drowning, and were now hard at work extricating corpses from the de’bris. The scene of the Afzul Gunj Hospital and the . Begum Bazaar •was worse than a battlefield: the hospital and houses, roads and lanes had been completely wiped out and the ground was strewn with dead bodies and debris. Four bridges, including the Afzul Gunj and Oliphant bridges, and the whole of the western suburbs of the city, the Malakpett bridge and bazaars, and the small villages around had also been completely destroyed, and it is estimated that ten thousand lives have been lost. The amount of property destroyed and damaged is calculated at ,a hundred lakhs of rupees or more. The new A ictoria Zenana Hospital, of which her Royal Highness the Princess of, Wales laid the foundation stone on February, 19011, has been badly wrecked; the staff and patients narrowly escaped death by climbing to the highest portion of the roof by ai” outside staircase, from which they ■were rescued by boats, after beingo exposed several hours to the heavy rain, and' when the waters had crept to within two feet of the top. Thousands of people have been rendered homeless and destitute, and the near futile looks dark with the prospect of pestilence and famine. Another large tank, the Jeedimutla, which supplies Secunderabad with water, is in a dangerous condition, and troopt are being employed to work at the embankments. A relief fund and temporary shelters have been started for the destitute by the officials of H.H. the Nizam’s Government, and his Excellency the Viceroy has telegraphed his concern at the news of the disaster, AUCKLAND’S NEW TRAINING COLLEGE. (See pictures, page 29.) The new. Training College was opened by the Minister for Education, the Hon, Geo. Fowlds. on Wednesday afternoon last. There was a representative gathering of those interested in Education present, ineluding Mr. C. J. Parr, chairman of the Board of Education, several members of the Board, several of the University professors, and the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers). - - The students and stuff-presented Mr*. Fowlds with a lovely bouque.t of flowers in blue and white, the college colours, and Mr Fowlds with a silver key with the college badge. After the opening ceremony the visitors made an inspection of tb<‘ building, the exterior of which is shown in our illustrations, No. 1. The motto, “Totis Veribus,” means “With all your might.” Our illustration No. 2 shows the Criticism Room. Immediately in front is a class from the Normal School having a lesson, while to the left the students are seen taking notes. This room can lie darkened in a few momenta to aHow of magic lantern lessons being given to illustrate geographical or historical teaching. Illustration No. 3

shows the swimming bath in the bas< - rnent. with some Ixiys from the Normal School swimming. The bath is 50ft. by 25ft. There are 25 dressing boxes. No. 4 shows a group of students who took part in presenting “She Stoops to Conquer” to a crowded house on the evening of the opening day. The piece was enthusiastically received, and was repeated on the following night.