DISASTROUS FLOODS IN MANAWATU.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 87, 24 March 1880, Page 3

DISASTROUS FLOODS IN MANAWATU.

We very much regret to record the occurrence of serious floods in the direction of the Oroua district. The heavy rains have flooded that and the Manawatu rivers, and caused all the low-lying lands about to be under water. Traffic on the railway for the space of about five miles has been suspended, passengers b ing conveyed in boats. The depth of water on the line varies from 5 to 12 feet, and it is feared the damage to the permanent way has been very great. A special train was promptly arranged to obviate as far as possible the difficulties which presented themselves. The loss of stock has been terrible. A little girl, child of Mr Sharmans, at Jackeytown, settler, was drowned, through the trap being capsized. Much sympathy is felt for the parents in their bereavement. The flood is the highest known for the last 16 years. The total lossses of stock will not be known for some time. Messrs Larkins and A. Cameron are very heavy losers. Nearer Palmerston, Mr P. Warbuton, of Shenslone Farm, lost all his prize fouls, pigs, etc., and a narrow escape of his own life, having to be taken off in a boat. Many other narrow escapes are recorded, and some anxiety is felt for the safety of others whose security is not verified. Nearer home a good deal ot damage has beep done. A centre pier at The Awahuri bridge is said to have been undermined, and some of the piles being driven by Mr Menzies on the Feilding-Ashurst road have been washed away. Some anxiety is expressed for the safety of the Rangitikei railway bridge, that river being in high floods When all comes to be know it is feared that the flood of 1880 will be found to have been a terrible disater, the losses from which will amount up to a very large sum of money. Strange to say, while rainfall inland from Orona seems to have been unprecedented, some of the streams in Rangitikei, are not even flowing. Further details of the incidents of the flood from the Oroua and Upper Murimotu aro anxiously awaited.