UNKNOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1678, 5 July 1875, Page 3

UNKNOWN.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

Sboxtland and Grahamstown Flooded-

Adwyt*rcs in the Streets.

Particulars of Damage

GHAHAMSTOWN. (Prom our Own Correspondent.) This day. THE STREETS FLOODED.

Last "/light was the highest tide since the place 'ffas settled, and many principle business places at Grahamstown had from six to eighteen inches of water in them. A furious g"Ae was blowing, which drove the tide in 'And backed up the flood waters, which was coming down the creeks in large volumes. The sea began to rise in the streets of Grahamstown about seven o'clock, and at Shortland afterwards. The floor of the Advertiser office was five, inches under water. Albert - street as lite a sea, the strong wip.d dashing the water into waves. Every now and then groups of men could be seen struggling about in the water with ti ie ir trowsers up over their knees. DUCKTtfG OVERHEAD.

There was ?_ a f e ty in keeping the crown of the road, w e re the water was not quite knee deep, but, ft W as difficult to cross, and more than o /fle unforiunate came to grief in the w»te.;r channels. One woman fell in over the footpath in Albert-street, and was soused over the head before she was dragged out. During the flood lights appeared in the windows of shops and warehouses where on Sunday night all is wont to be in darkness. All cellars were of course filled up, and in several of the shops considerable damage was done to goods standing on the floor. THE CHIEF LOSERS.

Mr. Marshall, draper, was among the greatest losers, his roll of goods standing on the floor being wet from the bottom for twelve to eightebn inches. Osborne Bros, had about eighteen inches of water, aid liad a quantity of maize destroyed. The water was also a considnrable depth in the National Bank. Mennie and Deys, the Exchange Building, the Pacific, Hotel, McCaul's ironmonger, and several others. A few hats were damaged in Cosgrave's Cash Palace, but only trifling. Nearly the whole road along the beach between Grahamstown and Shortland has been washed away, and many residents wire unable to get into their homes, after leaving church till the waters abated. The gardens have been completely destroyed in this locality and fences washed down. A CONGREGATION IN A DILEMMA. At Grahamstown the Wesleyan Church •people were astonished at the close of the service to find they could not get away from the church door. The sea had destroyed the fencing, and was surging round the building. Most of the congregation returned into church, and remained for the prayer meeting, ■while the water fell. The whole of the fencing of the Wesleyan Church is destrovod, and the footpath, in front, is knocked to pieces. OTHER DAMAGE. Large pieces of timber and boats were thrown on to the middle of Brown-at-eet. A considerable portion of Holdship's wharf has been carried away. There sre two large breaches in the Tararu wharf—one of three hundred feet in length. Most extensive damage was also done to Grahamstown wharf. At one time the tide was at least two feet over the top. A large breach was made in the wharf. A shed erected at the end Of the wharf for the reception of engines and carriages of the Tararu tramway, is a complete wreck. The whole of one side has fallen in, and the roof has tumbled after it, the foundation having been snapped away by the tide. Two engines fell down with the flood into the mud, but do not appear to be injured. Two tons of flour belonging to Pntleine and Smith, a quantity of maize, and other things are damaged. The beach road to Tararu has suffered considerably. There is is a breach in the sea wall in the neighbourhood of the powder magazine and other sections near Grahamstown have given ■way. SKIPPING. In regard to shipping the Prince Alfred barque rode out. The gale at the goods wharf without sustaining any injury. The threemasted schooner 'Policeman.' which had been moored off the wharf, commenced to drag her anchors before six o'clock, but was brought up. The small craft, in many instances drifted, and two were sunk near €rahamßtown wharf. The harbour boat had its stern broken out. Marshall's damage is a»id to be about £500. The printers in the Advertiser had to get "boxes to stand on at their frames, but no ■damage was done either to type or machinery. Letters in the pillar-box at the Exchange were floating about and damaged.