Serious Floods at the Thames

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 134, 6 December 1893, Page 2

Serious Floods at the Thames

(PEE PfiESS ASSOCIATION). Thames, December 5. Although it is "yet impossible to giye any idea as to the full extent of the devastation caused by the floods last night, the loss sustained by the local bodies and private people is something considerable, and will amount to many thousands of pounds. Unless the Government aids the sufferers, it will be a long time before the Thames recovers from the blow. Nearly all the tradesmen in Pollen and Albert streets are heavy losers. The streets were covered with water and debris, Albert street being particularly noticeable in this respect, as a regular river flowed down the street towards the beach, and as the side streets contributed torrents of water, the whole of the business premises were inundated to the extent of several feet. The scene this morning in Pollen street was one of utter desolation. Three large breaks have occurred at the county water-race, and in consequence crushing operations at all batteries have been brought to a standstill. It is expected that the Minister of Mines, who is at present at Coromandel, will visit , the Thames before leaving for Wellington, and will consult with the local bodies, and see for himself the extent of the damage.