A SINGULAR ADVEGNTURE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1498, 4 March 1887, Page 2

A SINGULAR ADVEGNTURE.

Dunedin, March 3.

A very heavy fall of rain, whloh was accompanied by distant thunder, took plaoe this afternoon, and nearly led to lobb of life. Mr Mirams, City Engineer, Mr Cuthbert, CE. of Chrlatchuroh, Mr R. Hay, 0.X., and a corporation employee named Sandllands, went Into the main sewer to Inspect it ln connection with a law suit arising out of the late floods, and before the man on tho look-out oould give them warning a tremendous downpour of rain commenced. In a few seconds an Immense body of water was winding its way into the sewer from the' hills, and this reaohed the party In the sewer while they were about 2Coyds from the eniranoe. The water rose from a few inches to about st. It was with the utmost diflioulty the party kept themselves from being swept eff their feet by the rushing water, and they were becoming weaker and weaker by the abseroj-of fresh air, which had no room to circulate. They stook together, and by olihging to the top and sides they managed to hold on till the manhole was reached. A last final eff>rt prevented their being swept past, and Hay, olambering on the shoulders of the others, managed to get out, and the rest were assisted out m a pitiable plight. They 'received many severe bruises, and werj thoroughly exhausted. No danger* 0113 results are anticipated. Sandllands suffered most. He was a short man, and I. he water waa up to his ohln. Bay m-maged time after time to keep him from being swept away.