THE TIDAL WAVE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 86, 15 May 1877, Page 2

THE TIDAL WAVE.

The discoloured appearance of the water in the Akaroa Harbour, and the unusual high tide on Friday morning last, gaye evident indication that it had been disturbed by an earthquake wave. Although we learn that Mr. Waseoe, whilst fishing during the night, observed the beginning of the phenonemon, the first approach of the wave was not discernible in Akaroa before 7 a.m., when the water was observed suddenly to recede, and flow back again to high-water mark within the space of ten minutes. The ebb and flow of the tide continued at intervals of between fifteen and twenty minutes up to 2 p.m., with a rise and fall varying at from three to five feet, at which hour it increased, and inundated the lower portion of the township, the residents of which fared by far the worse. From repprts to hand, it appears that the wave was experienced throughout all the coasts* of ' New Zealand, as well as in New South Wales, and we therefore may prepare ourselves to hear of serious disasters among shipping, and devastations on land. The wave of 1868 is considered by many to have been more severely felt than that of Friday, but we are assured by several old residents that'it rose and receded with greater rapidity than the former wave. Aβ it not high-water

before half-past two p.m., many of the residents favoured the correct assumption that the force and height of the wave would materially increase before that time, and many had the forethought to remove articles to a safe place. The water encroached upon the lower portion of the town early in the forenoon, and had actually entered several residences, but it was not until after two p.m. that fears were entertained for the safety of property. We regret that the rapidity with which the current flowed caused some little damage to the owners or occupiers of several houses. The Mesdemoisellesde Malinanche's residence was completely taken possession of by the intruder, and articles, such as school-books, music, linen, crockeryware, provisions, Avere carried away by the relent less torrent. As an evidence of the_ force, of the current, we might mention that it wrung one of the doors oft its hinges, and displaced several bricks in the fireplace. Messrs. Berland, C. Brown, Hahn, and Sunckell arrived early to the aid of the occupants, and rendered valuable assistance in the way of rescuing property from the encroaching waters. Mr. Berland gallantly rescued Mademoiselle deMalmanche from her perilous perch, by transporting her on his back to a place of security. Mr. Aylmer and family, adjoining, were also compelled to quit, and seek a higher elevation, the intruder leaving unmistakeable marks, in the shape of heavy depositsof thick sediment, as souvenir aof its visit. Mr. Holding, who had but recently erected, and entered upon, new premises in lower Jollie-street, is, we regret to learn, one of the heaviest sufferers. Large quantities of cooperage material were washed away, notwithstanding that every precaution was made to secure it, but we are happy to slate portions of same have since been recovered strewn along the beach. The house has been slightly dis 7 turbed from its foundation, and the brick chimney rent in several places. Mr. Holding estimates his loss at between £30 and £40. Mr. Sunckell's new premises narrowly escaped a visit from the element, but as it failed to gain admission to the house, it left its mark at the rear. The well, which is closely lined with brick, was filled with the briny fluid, and several bags of coal and pieces of timber were hurled defiantly before the current. Messrs. Vangiona, Brookes, Jones. Deitly, and Ewing's houses were swamped by the water, and presented a rather uninviting appearance for habitation until subjected to the usual mopping and airing process. The upper end of the township suffered little or no damage, the only house, we believe, the water reached, being Mr. Chadwick's, but no damage is reported* We regret to learn that Mr. Latter lost about seven chains of his jetty at Barry's Bay, which was carried away shortly after 2 p.m. From Le Bon's we learn that two small bridges have been displaced, while at Okain's the wave passed over without causing any injury. At "Pigeon Bay, there was a rise of seven feet above the average. Holme's jetty was carried away by the force of the disturbing wave, and the yacht, Jenny Flynn, was thrown high and dry into the bush. The s.s. Akaroa, could not, we learn, approach within a mile of the wharf, and experienced some little difficulty in landing her passengers by means of the small boat. So far as New Zealand is concerned, no material damage has been reported.