Disastrous Floods in Nelson.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 159, 4 January 1895, Page 2

Disastrous Floods in Nelson.

SEVERAL FAMILIES FLOODED OUT. CROPS LEVELLED v SI t> S TOOK DKOVVNED (Per Press Association.) Nelson, January 3. ' The reports of the floods from the country are most distressing. In Motupiko Valley the flood is the highest on record, and crops have been destroyed, sheep drowned, fences levelled, and much land washed away. Bridges were washed away, and several families had narrow escapes from drowning at Motueka and Motuepiko ValleyH. A coußiderable amount of stock has been drowned at Motueka, and at Waimea West crops 1 have been levelled, reHiiltin^ in serious loss to Hcttlerß. Later i The rivor Waieti is *lno in the hij.'hfjst I flood known, and overflowed and inundated tho country The Waim«a County Council have already noti:othat tho Motupuko cart l>rid«H -mi ih.t li.-lifrove, Wakfififcld and f'i^-on V.iiloy ]Wi>ix<:H 'ire atopped for irnflifi till i-f»ft'v C!l " k° «'«'P«ir«ifl and rouda nrn Kcnnrwl in all direcionH. Tho approach on I'itffton Valley Hido of ibo Wiikofinld liridfja i» corr.j.lfclftly carried away. At. Motuoka and Motnoko Vailftyfl tho furnili';* of J, Hu-.bT and G. Slohb had to be removed. Mofi'irn (ii>-b?i arid Mead tried in pri>c.f(><\ to r<sriflf:r ftß-iiwlanco to Mm F'Jlih, but v/vrn v/;if-h«"J Oov/ri thft Rtroam. All <:t>.c.apt!tl, hnwnvf>r. Vl r Fenniraorfi tried to ri'J<i n\nnit rhfj road to rendeir nu nimanc» i'» th» Wr.«ht« at I admor Ferry, but (nilfjfl. Tho family w«s aftertvards s"<jf:i) tf> bn ftl 1 riffht. VV. Thompson's family left tho Accommodation IJou=io «'. VJotupfcko when the writer wan level with tho tfthlo top. At Foxliil J Btanton's family took re fnt/« np Rlnirs, but tho Morrisons had to b« rumo 7fi(l HoJlis lost l°/)0 hiJls of bopa, Nicollb 200. and Ti. Livos and 'i. Holland many, tho land boing v/ft^hftd ay/ay. Tomlinaon, of Waimea West, and Win, of J>ovf)dalfi, had land washed away : and C. fJcst, of Applebv, lost fieven aero a of r/ra?,- 1 . ftbont to be cat. At Motueksi. alf.o the conntrj is aub j m«jrj;ftd and it v/aa feared that the river would take another conrge through the township. A lot, of barley and other crops nra r3arrja«f;d. One home was seen floatinf,' out, to sea, and drowned sheep are visible in the hfjfjigos. The Bnller coach passengers are stuck at the Hope Junction Accommodation House and the big coach from Reefton at Longford.