THE FLOODS.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 222, 11 October 1878, Page 5

THE FLOODS.

H> . . ■, In another, parti of this issue will be found some account of the floods tip till Monday night, which we published as an ' ' Extra " on Tuesday morning. We republish it, as in consequence of the state of chaos of the postal department here it, was impossible to get it sent to some of our readers at a distance. Since then up till mid-day yesterday the river continued to fall slowly but steadily. The greater part of the inhabitants had returned to the township, and the disagreeable and difficult work of cleaning out the houses was vigorously proceeded with. The main street was clear of water excepting the low parts near to the Wesleyan Church and the Post-office. The water had also considerably fallen in the large holes at the top of Gordon and Argyle streets, and by making a detour at these spots the street was open for traffic by vehicles. Omnibusses, drays, and vehicles of all kinds had resumed the ordinary traffic aboxit the centre or highest part of the street. Several other streets were also getting pretty clear of water. Thus a good view of the condition of the township after a flood was obtained. We confess the scene was a pitiable one, more especially towards the south. Fences, trees, shrubs, etc., broken down or covered up, gardens obliterated, everywhere dilapidation and devastation. Although most of the houses remain standing, and have sustained but little damage, the whole properties are in such a ruinous condition that much money, time, and labour will be required before they can again be put into decent condition. It is surprising that so many houses are standing. With the quantity of timber and huge logs that came rolling down and acted like battering rams upon the houses, the wonder is that many more have not been carried away. On Wednesday the weather was very sultry, with a northern breeze, and fears began to be awakened that a second flood would be the result. In the evening it commenced to rain heavily, and great anxiety was felt to ascertain the condition of the weather and river at Clyde, Cromwell, and Queenstown. From the appearance of matters on Wednesday we telegraphed to Mr Thomson asking him. fco get the Government to supply us with telegrams from the up-country offices, so that we might issue "Extras" to warn the public of danger or calm their fears. The request was promptly granted, and the first telegrams arrived here at 9 a.m. yesterday. These will be found in another column. A large number of the inhabitants at once made preparations for leaving. Goods in stores were packed upon the highest shelves, furniture was raised upon tables, beds, &c, and throughout the afternoon the inhabitants began to move off in drays and other available vehicles. Knots of travellers with hastily made up bundles of clothing, bedding, &c. , might be seen wending their way towards the bridge and the south, and up the road on the high ground on each side of the township. The sight was a very dreary one, but some had experienced the dire results of remaining too long in similar circumstances, and were quite to be excused for the haste with which they turned their backs upon the apparently doomed village. It is much to be feared that should the flood to-day rise to anything like the height of that of last week, the damage will be very much increased. Some houses are now in very precarious positions, and a very little more washing away of the adjacent ground will totally undermine and carry them away. A case of forethought deserves to be mentioned. Mr M'Millan, Inspector upon the Tioro section of the railway here, no_ ticing on the Wednesday afternoon pre- J vious to the flood that matters looked ominious, gave orders that the engine and trucks used upon that section should be kept beyond the town boundary, instead of being taken to the station here as usual. But for this they would have shared in the wreck of the station, and the work on the Tioro section would have been suspended. As it is, he has been able to continue the work as if no flood had occurred. Mr M'Millan also took the precaution to make fast all the material in the shape of sleepers, &c. , he had at the station, and thus, prevented much valuable Government property from being washed away. It also deserves to be mentioned that Alexander Davidson had in charge a large amount of material belonging to Messrs Proudfoot and M'Kay, at the railway station. When it was seen there was to be a flood he went and secured it. and it is saved. Poor Davidson was careful of the property of others, but lost his own life. The Rev. Mr M'Ara has handed us the following letter, which certainly deserves publicity. The prompt action taken by Mr Ewing, and the hearty response on the part of his employes, is exceedingly gratifying. Mr Bell also deserves the thanks of this community, and also Mrs Bowler, who has sent a cheque for LlO. We have no doubt Mr Ewing's suggestion will be adopted, and that some organised system will be arranged to provide for all in need. The following is Mr Ewing's letter: — Dunedin, Oct. 9, 1878. Rev. Mr M'Ara,— My dear Sir, — Yours came to hand last night, and this morning we set to work, and the result. as per enclosed cheques. The amount sent — L4O 2s 6d — is from Brown, Ewing, arid Co., arid their employes. We. did . not intend going beyond , ourselves, but while down seeing. Mr Jago i at the Star office, and' giving him a. slight extract from your letter of the sfejbe oi

affairs, he came up immediately and handed us a cheque for L2O from Mr, Bell. Mr Bell, as you are aware^ is pro-i prietor and editor of the Evening Star, and wrote a good article some few days ago on the state of affairs and the necessity of doing something. You might acknowledge receipt of his cheque direct to him, 1 and get the Gluxha Leader to do the same. There is no doubt a public sub-, scription will be desirable, and I am sure, from the feeling of sorrow expressed, a very large sum of money will be collected* I could get you a large sum of money, but rather defer till some organised system has been adopted. We have no doubt this will be sufficient to keep the wolf from the door, r— l am, &c, Rauh Ewino. - So many untruths have been published with refereuce to the rescue of the Legge family that we have been requested to give the following facts of the case:— lt was Mr Walter Eobson who suggested the idea of the flag of distress and the firing of the gun, and in carrying out this Mr James Hogg and John Chirnside rendered every assistance. Mr Eobson was frequently amongst those on the south side, and exerted himself to the utmost on their behalf. Mr M'Millan, Railway Inspector, suggested the idea of the anvil and rope, so that the boat might he dropped down the current to the house. He gave his anvil -and rope for the purpose. These were lying at the white bridge on the Port Molyneux road. Mr Melrose and James M'Neil went for them. The rope was Mr McMillan's private property, and. has been lost. The individuals who manned the boat and rescued the family were John Finn (steer oar), Wm. Halliday, and Joseph Paterson. There is no doubt whatever this was the most dangerous exploit in connection with rescuing parties here. This in no manner detracts from the praiseworthy exertions of many others, who with boats and otherwise did everything that men could do to save life and property. In addition to the names of those mentioned in last issue who rendered assistance and extended a liberal hospitality to the inhabitants of Balclutha during their exile, we have now to: mention the following :— Mr and: iMrs: Chirnside had their house and every available place of shelter crammed full, their guests sometimes numbering as many as sixty at a time. Messrs Dalgleish (Waitepeka), George Scott, Houliston, and others drove backwards and forwards with their traps and 'took to their houses as many as would leave. Mr Scott had his house at Waitepeka Station filled with families from Balclutha and that at Waitutu with residents of Inch Clutha, some of whom are likely to be with him for some time. Messrs Whitelaw, M'Kay, Moffat, Kilburn, and others also freely offered their houses to the houseless and dispensed hospitality. We have also heard from numerous , individuals of the exertions made by Mr and Mrs Dunne for the comfortable accommo-. dation of the numerous party that took refuge at the Crown Hotel. A first-class table was kept throughout, and everyone invited and made welcome and treated alike, whether they had money or had none. Many little comforts were also j attended to that could scarcely have been expected under the circumstances. Mr and Mrs Dunne and their servants de- | serve all credit for their exertions and | general conduct throughout the trying time. We previously referred to Mr and Mra Tosh's exertions and hospitality during the flood. We have now to add that in addition to the inhabitants of Balclutha he was also beseiged by the railway workmen, who were unable to procure bread. Mr Tosh ordered from Clinton a supply of the staff of life, which was promptly forwarded, and' he requests us to acknowledge this kindness on the part of Messrs Lange, Macdonald, Scobie, Barlow, Garden and Young, and Mr Stewart (Waiwera). Messrs Ay son and Wilson were also very attentive in keeping the people well supplied with butcher meat. We have to mention another little matter to show how some parties can make themselves serviceable, and turn even adverse circumstances to good account. When the exit of the inhabitants took place cows and other live stock were left to wander the streets without receiving the usual attention from the owners. There was a considerable extent of dry ground in the neighbourhood of Mr Lattimore's, ,in Glasgow-street. There the cows were collected. Mrs Lattimore, assisted by her numerous female guests, had them all regularly milked, and the milk distributed free of charge to the families who remained in the township. Indeed the milk was also sent for from the north side of the river.' Thus both the wants of the cows and the people were attended to by Mrs Lattimore's promptitude and exertions. ,