THE FLOODS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1491, 27 June 1905, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

FURTHER DETAILS. THREE MEN DROWNED, (Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, yesterday Judging from the doposit on the bodges and trees there must have been 8 feet of water at places ou the roads. In the paddocks stock suffered severely. Although it is impossible to glean any definite tidings the amount of losses is sufficient to justify the assumption that some farmers will bo very heavy losers. The [damage to crops is also very great. In many paddooks tho feed will bo spoiled for tho winter, and where it is in crop tho seed has been rained by the deposited silt binding tho top of the soil. There will, of course, be an immense growth of feed in the spriDg in paddocks where the silt lies, but in tho meantime it I i 3 practically ruined for tho season. Those ' who suffered most will probably ba those who bad potatoes in pits. Many of these are seen along the road where, the water had scoured out the pits and scattered tho potatoes over the field, carrying them 20 and 30 chains away into other paddooks. Where the potatoes have not been washed out of the pits they have been flooded, and the storeß ruined. The same thing applies to tho mangold pits, whilst tho growing mangolds have been simply washed out by tho roots, and drifted along like so many soap bubbles, scattered all over the face of the country. Tho roads as well as the fields are in a dreadful state. They have been scoured out in all directions, the formation washed off io places, and washed out in othorsj It will be a matter of considerable expense to local bodies to repair them. Fortunately tho flood for onoo came ! io the daytime. In many cases stock wers saved which at night would have boon lost. Fortunately, also, the .late rams had scoured out the river. This allowed the flood water to get away much quicker than it would otherwise have dons. The general opinion is that the flood was the heaviest experienced io the district since 1868. at which date the oldest inhabitant’s memory begins to waver. Railway traffic on tho North line was resumed to-day. Tho floods in North Canterbury are subsiding. They aro the most Beverc, and covered the largest area since 1868. Reports in ta-day Isay many cattle were drowned, and a good number of sheep, but until the water is a good deal lower than now it is impossible to give figures. There is no doubt, however, that the loss of stock is very groat.

Westport, yesterday. The rain for the week culminated with a flood in the night, and the continuous downpour caused tho highest floods known iu the Buller river, cutting off telegraphic communication with the outside world until last night. All the low-lying parts of tho country are flooded. The Buller river backed up its water through the borough sowers, flooding the town slightly in places, but there is do real damage from this cause, though several families had to leave their homes. A small wharf was covered. Tho lowest platform of the coal ataiihß is available, and the water level is only 2ft below tho decking of the merchandise wharf. Four small washouts occurred on the railway near town, and a slip near Mokihinui. A baker’s delivery cart horse was drowned in a depression in one of tho principal streets. The settlers have lost o considerable quantity of stook. Train connections were made by dray. A correspondent wires from Murchison that Fern Flufc dredge brok9 away with four men on board. Two got ashore ; two —Kobert Liddicoat and Craig—were drowned.

Four steamers in the roadstead on Saturday got in yesterday afternoon. The weather is now clear after yesterday’s incessant rain, and the water in the river has subsided. A serious washout occurred yesterday on the Brunswick Hill. A gang of 20 men was sent out yesterday afternoon, and the line was clear at 3 o’clock this morning. Business people on Taupo quay had a scare on Saturday Dight owing to a false alarm from Pipiriki that the river had risen 4ft above the highest flood level. They remained up all night, shifting goods in cellars and on lower flowers out of harm’s reach. The flood was considerably lower than that of lasi year,

Greymonlb, yesterday. The loss in town will bo leas than woe at first expected. In the country, however, it is very extensive. Most of the dredges are more or less affected. The Buller Junction, Abdingo, and Blaekwater Biver dredges were stranded. The approaches to the Blackball bridge were washed away. At Fern Fiat Liddicoat and Craig, members of the crew of the washedaway dredge, were drowned. The Monteznma dredge also sank., (No damage was done to shipping. There is 25ft of wator on the Grey bar. Shipping operations have been resumed.

Hokitika, yesterday. Although the flooda were very high in Westland, the damage was not as extonsive as was expected. The injury to Hungerford’s bridge, Upper Arahura, was most serious. Another large bridge was injured in the Kaniori district. Tko roads esoaped without very serious damage. The drowning of an old man in the Teremakau is confirmed. He was evidently swept to sea in his hut in the early hours of Saturday morning. His waistcoat, with his

watch stopped at 1.20, has boen recovered. The man Craig, drowned from the Fern Flat dredge, only went trom here to Westport last Monday to look for work. He was a recent arrival here, hailing from the North Island, and was a prominent member lattorly of the Citizens’ Band, taking part in the recont band contest. Nelson, yesterday.

Nows from Murchison Etales that the continuous warm rain caused the largest flood known for sotno years. It is feared that it will bo attended by loss of life. The Buffer drodge, at Fern Flat, owned by Bedbury and party, broke from its moorings when the flood was at its height about dawn on Saturday. Tho feur men ou tbs dredge were helpless for about half a mile towards tho gorge. Liddicoat and Craig attempted to swim ashore, and have not been seen since. Practically, there is no chance of their being alive. Xhe remaining two men, Errick and Meozios, managed to swim ashore. It is probable a boat attached to tho dredge was broken by drifting tim ber before the dredge broke away. Search parties were out all day yesterday. Liddicoat was managor of the dredge, and leaves a widow and one child. Craig is unknown.

In Nelson no damage was done by flood, but there was interruption to coach and steamer traffic.

Blenheim, last night. Tho Wairau district has, as far as can be discovered, not suffered to any extent through the recent floods in the river. No serious overflow occurred in the vicinity of Blenheim. The Pelorus district, howe*er, seems to have suffered considerably. Complete information is not to baud, but slips on the road have interrupted traffic between Havelock and Canvaatown, and it is believed that a certain quantity of stock have been drowned.

LATE REPOBT3. (Par Press Association.) Westport, last night. Reports from up the Buffer show that very considerable damage was done b\ Saturday’s fl:od. The Fern Fiat dredge was sunk and two lives lost. The Buffer Junction dredge was carried three miles down the river, and dppcsjtpd in Croawoll’s paddook, and the Welcome dredge was carried down the river two miles, and stranded in an awkward position. The bridge at Whitecliffs was carried away, and a washout occurred at Berlin’s, preventing the rnnniDg of the mail coach service. The river rose to a great height, reaching the I top of Fern Arch and completely aubeterg. J ing several of the telegraph poles.