HEAVY FOOD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1811, 18 July 1906, Page 2

HEAVY FOOD

THE FLATS UNDER WATER.

GREAT LOSS- OF STOCK AND

PROPERTY.

With tho ooDtiauanoo of 4be heavy rein which set in on Satmday luat, the Poverty '■ Bay district was yesterday visited with the severest flood in the memory of its oldest inhabitants, and at the time of writing there appears little hope of its immediate abatement. Fortunately so fur no lore of human life has been reported as a direct result of tho flood, but tbo loss of etcck and damage to property will represent many thousands of pounds. As stated in onr issuo of yesterday, the Waipaoa river bad in two places overflown its banks on Monday ovening, but the full , significance of this event was not fully reoognised until about daylight yesterday, when the whole extent oi country from | the Matawbero bridge to Maksud, and from the Mt-karaka Hotel to Ormond was several feet uodar water. Tho news of the state of affairs existing in tho country was eoeempanied with requeetß that assietanoo should at once be cent to tbe several districts, end in a very short time His Worship tbo Mayor (Mr J, Townley) and Bergoant Williams, together with other gentlemen, took steps to render what hoip was possible under tbe oiroum- - stances. Relief parties were organised, aDd boats wero deßpatobed to Makarßka, from f which place they set out in different, directions to render assistance. Tbe I country people in the vicinity of Meka- ’ , j rako also rendered splendid service in 'Q I effecting the resoue of their neighbors. It I was to a great extent due to tbe prompt messmes taken by the townspeople that no loss of human life occurred, as many of the residents on the flat, were rescued after tho most trying experieners. From an early hour crowds of spectators gathered at Mskaraka, end the boating operations : I of the rescue parties were watched with the utmost interest.

NELSON BEOS’ BRIDGE AND DREDGE SWEPT AWAY. There wee considerable excitement in town from an early hour yesterday, tbe news from country districts being eagerly awaited. At nine o’clock a telephone message was received in town that Messrs Nelson Bros.’ new bridge, together with the dredge and punt, was coming down the river at a great rate, and asking that a warning should be given to assure the safoty of the two town bridges. The bridge and dredge carried everything in front of them as they floated past the residences in Aberdeon road, and it appeared to be a very remote ohanoo of their progress being stayed The onoom« ing mess came with a great omit into the footbridge at the Recreation Ground, carrying a large portion of the bridge on the Eouthorn side dean away. The bridge from Nelson Bros, was travelling down the stream broad side on, and, coming in contract with the footbridge, the whole fortunately became entangled and remained so for Boffioiently long a period-to enable lines to bo got ent to the shore and the whole seonred. A large crowed gathered at the Taruberu bridge the arrival of the wrookage, but to tbei# relief it never oame. In 'addition to ,the above mentioned, Messrs Nelson Bros, were heavy losers in other ways. Casks of tallow and empty casks from the Works were washed away, and considerably dam* age was done to property generally. AT THE WHARF. . Shipping was made seoure early in the day. A little excitement was oaused at the bridge where the steamer Noko and the yacht Kotare were moored. They were in danger of being carried oat to sea by the onrrent, but the Kotare was taken into still water, and tbe Noko eventually made secure. Praotioally no damage war sustained by the vessels at the wbarveß. Tbe Haupiri is lying at anohor in the bay. The flood waters in the Taranganui fell slightly daring the evening. IN THE COUNTRY. Right from Mekaraka to Makauri the whole country was under water and plaoes and fences and hedges were right out of sight. Boats were sent out from Makaraks, and plied in different directions, oalling at the houses en route in the hope of rescuing residents who had been unable to get away. In most cases the houses were found to be deserted, but in eeveral instanoes the help proffered was most opportune, and the inmates were brought to Makaraks. So mapy boats joined in , the operations ' affording relief that when it wbs made certain that there was no likelihood of loss of human life occurring the boats lent valuable assistance in saving stock and property. In this way thousands of pounds worth of stook was saved „ A SCENE OF DESOLATION. A Times reporter was kindly offered a seat in one of the Harbor Board boats, and by this means .nod throngh tha kind- ■ ness of Mr P. Morris and another, who had a flat-bottomed boat at Makauri, was able to get a good idea of the'damage done by the flood. Everywhere there was - a great loss of stock, whilst the damage to property will mean a vory serious thing 1 to settlers, in many oases spelling little short of ruin. Towards noon, when the flood was almost at its height, tbe whole oonntry beyond Mekaraka presented a scene of desolation. As the boat'swept on its course Makauri, signs of the great devastation done by the rush of water on the flats were only too vividly demonstrated. There was a depth of about six to eight feet of water on the road, and almost every fow yards a dead animal oould be seen. In less than a hundred yards over 20 dead cows and calves were passed. A DESERTED HOME. The first house passed was submerged up to tha windows, and the inhabitants had long sinoe left it. Everything that oould float was bumping Bgainet the a house and boat, pumpkins, maiae, and f poultry being chiefly conspicuous. Tb ß | tops of the outbuildings,' lying a little dis t tanoe from the house, were just showing * out of the water, whilst a couple of dean I pigs were entangled in tbe top wire of a f fenoe. Several horses were floating about I on this property, and the whole plaoa ! showed only too plainly to those in the I boat what a flood meant to the owner ' I and how what was one day a smiling 4 homestead oouia the next be turned into ai soene of the utmost ruination. Everything in the house had been left, but Was being washed hither and thither by tha rush of water. J GREAT RUSH OF WATER. Another honse, similar to that described, was passed, but there was no sign of life, excepting a horse whioh was standmg with the water well over his hack and looking for some assistance. The object of those in the boat was first to be assured that no human beings were in danger, and with that in view the boat passed on, Here is where you will have to keen ' aver to be careful," remarked the captain of the boat, and looking ahead the water oould bo seen rushing like a torrent aoross the road. Before the position could bo properly appreciated the boat wbb off tbe road and almost in {he paddook, oolv to bo brought back in a few seconds Th Jih S hßnds hebiDd tbe ' - ~e y°y“Be was continued down the main Mskouri road, the water being as high a, the Hawthorn hedge, and well over the fenoss on either side. Another horse aud a cow and then two cows floated past the boat so dose that they oould almost be readied with the oars. DAMAGE TO CROPS.

Locking aoroas tho fields tho spectacle that mrt the eye was a most distressing I one. The corn and hay stacks were half under water, and the top of the standing corn was just discernible. It is estimated that there has been a groat loss of maize pumpkioe, and other produce, whilst tbe’ expenuituro in view of next season’s planting will bo nullified. The eummt along tho road was in some plaoEß strong, and the floating debris which was occasionally m»l with made the navio, I of Iho boat r dtfficulfi muster. ® AT THE MAKAURI CORNER. At the junction of tho Makauri road a short distance from tho Butter Factory the scone was a most vivid one Tn paddocks could be aeon men in boats iy. Jag (a two to mime wtiic mo

wadfng up to their backs in water, Tho oattlo appeared to hardly realise tho poblffon, and for a long lime tho Eliotts of tho reaouers wero attonded with little or no success. It is a hard matter in a boat to drivo cattle, aud finally afior mauy futile attempts the owner of the siook in question resorted to tho inganious mothad of lassooiug one beast, and by this means ho was able to get tho others to follow. The Maaauri Butter Faotory stood firm, aud appeared to oome through tho flood with, out tauoh damage, although tho suspended operations will mean a loss to tho Company. There was quite a small sea running ou this part of tho country, prohably foooaatablo for by the wstua from tbo Taruheru aomiDg Into piay wish those from tho Waipaoa. A DRY SFOT.

The first dry pieeo of road from Makaraka to Makauri was at Bryoo’s store, and opposite the residence o' tho Into Mr W. King. Just boforo reaching these placos tho boats siruok tbo ground, and for a few obains ouward towards \Vaoronga-a-hilt» tho U od bad not eovored the road. A chain oil the road on either side and tho vast shoot of water ng>iu oommenoed to extend and play bavco with the surrounding oeuutrv. From an early hour in tho morning Mr Bryce had been generously lending assistance to settlors to bring in their stock, but despite the efforts made only a small portion of tho stock of the dislriot was saved. THE MAKAURI FLAT.

leaving Aho Makauti road in n clingy in OompaDy wish iwo othors, onr reproaootativo paid a visib to Mr MoOullongh’a proper*.?, wbioh was reached after a very hazardous trip, the boot on two occasions nearly boing overturned wh Ist negotiating the rush of water over a drain. There was a depth of from throo to six feet of water on tho flats, and a very strong current was running all the time. The sueuoaround Mr MoOullongh’s bomsstead was a distressing ona. The oattlo were standing in groups on the higher portions of the flat looking tho piotuco of misery and half submerged. One or two wore swept away, and it appeared to bo only a question of a few hours for tha others to share a like fate. Tho ooly bit of dry ground was the stockyard, but this the oattlo oould not roaoh, owing to the fences and ditches aud tho great rush of water, Two dogs wore tiod in the yard, aud on the top of tho fences tho few remaining fowls were roosting. Tha water v was over the floor in the house, bat Mrs McCullough and her daughter could not be persuaded to leave their home. AN INTERVIEW.

Running tho dingey up to the bouse our repreeoDtativo was able to have a brief oh»t with Mrs McCullough in regard to the family's experiences. I was in the big flood 30 years ago last Jaouary," remaikedMrs MoCuilougb, *• aud I do not think it was worse than this. Wa have had several floods ainae, bat nothing like the present. I was at Buahmere SO years ago, and oame to this bouse shortly after. When I oame hare the sill was on the floor, but wa had that this morniug after the water left the room.”

“ What was tho first indication you had of the flood ? ” queried the reporter. " I got out of bed at 11.80 laet evening, being aroused by tho noise of the water, and looking out saw what you now see.

At three o’olook this morning it was pitob dark, aod you oould not see as far as the fence.”

" Has tho walor subsided to any extont ? ” “It was at the worst about 12 o'clock to-day. Some of tho meu oamo dowa for the stoak, but thought they would not risk it, and went baok again.” In answer to farther questions, Mrs MoCullough said that her daughter and herself would not loave the house unless the

waters showed signs of increasing. The

younger membara of the family had been taken away to the Makauti store that morning. As far as she knew the residents between her own honse and the Hakanri

school wore alright. She expressed the warmest appreciation of ehe aotion of the townspeople in eeuding oat boats, but preferred to remain in ber own home.

Seeing it was hopeless to persuade the lady to quit the houseboat on the flats, our representative rejoined his party and set sail for Makaraka. THE LOSS OF STOOK, Ou the voyage back the party took observations in regard to the lose of stook, and they were convinced that it is much greater than anticipated. "'The greatest damage appears to be between the buttar factory and Makaraka, where soores of dead cattle were paeesd. SCENE AT ORMOND. At Ormond there was about 10 feet of water in Mr Julius Carat’s paddocks, and tbs country over lowarde Waihirere and Waimarie was all flooded, the water being over the tops of the fences, which in many places were washed away. There was a etroog onrrent running, and it is considered not unlikely that the river will ohango its ooursa, and take the old watercourstfround by Mr Bruce’s and out again past Mr Ctesar's. A man named Jack Boland was rescued after considerable excitement. The water has risen over the pound, where a couple of horses ate supposed to havo been drowned. Although very destructive at Ormond, the flood has not yet reached as high as tho big flood of 1876. Mr Foster’s house across tho river at Pokepapa is partly under water, also Mr Max Jackson’s and Mr Kempthorne’s land at Eaitaratabi.

PATUTAHI,

The wires were down and the road impassable, so no communication could bs held with Patutahi yesterday.

TE KARAKA. AND WHATATUTD. At Te Karoka the flood was over the racecourse, baft tho flate at the township were above the flood level. A little damage has been doDB to the new railway construction works. Tbo line from Kaitaratabi to Te Karaka is intact. Tbo river wao reported to baye reached as high as the opening of tbo dbw tunnel, and as hign as the level of the railway bridge at Makanri- The flood swept into Wbatatntu at about 7 on Sunday evening, and coverod all tba flat in. tho vio’.nity. The settlers took refuge in tba hotel. Several houses in township, as well bb Messrs Riobards and Hawkins’ store, were flooded, and the water was waist-deep aloDg the roads. The mail man was unable to leave for Te Karaka yeetorday.

MOREBE. The river was very high at Mororo, and the mail coach was detained there.

THE MAILS. Thn passengoro by tha two mail conches to Tolago on Sunday bad a rough time. The coaches wore met at the foot of the irrlnoo hill by Mr Williams, und drivers were toid of the flooded state of the creek and the impossibility of reaching Bay that night. The male passeo* S'Sen* the night in Mr Boland’s wooland a lady passenger was taken to a shed' ana o iany p * Tbe CO((oh , a fl , o behoved to have reached Tolago yesterday, hnt the Waipiro coach is detained toore. b The Momm coach did not start yoster- , nnm being received that \hore were a day ’ w nf alios on the road. Wbioh wero number P heavily flooded. '“Cita kToVoSI. M. tow... fcJfhteSoi been reported atnoe pass.ng Hanga roa b nowcladan'dthio ooach may be having a rough journey. TBE BAINFALL. ; > j?r» Mtsrtz 3.35 inches, and 9.17 inches, inches, making a J J ‘ M , y , Thom were -ght total bu ‘ in the groat flood of 1876, when K inches were 8 recorded for three oays,

GENERAL items. The 'S*, 0 0 S"?o»p!“. d .£ £.■« -’Sa: 0 ” “ w ° “ d relief w “° B " 8 g °™ ka ° f ta CTnd» number oE empty ceeks from the works yesterday- . will bo a Jfc’Sß’S-S'V* o. 500 sborp- u nV.flprle ovooeeding to MataM iwe a»owuo«*

At Whatatntu tho telephone poles, rojooted Government railway rails, wero bent nearly double with tho weight of snow which fell on Sunday. Tho train for To Ritraka yesterday only teaohod as far as Makaraka, whore a washout ooourred. All traffic has boon temporarily suspended. Mr Vflllanoo, one of tho railway gangorp, had n severe experience yesterday morning. Ho left Waibirero at 5.15 a.m. on a jigger, and found tbo lino between Waibirern and King’s road station submerged, tho flood waters running with considerable force. Ho hud ror.ohod ns far as MoGregor’s bend whon tho jigger he was travelling on completely disappeared front sight Vftllanoo afterwards waded through tho flood waters to tho permanent way, travelling tbouco by foot to Muk-iraka, wh oh ho reached at 7.45, aud at onoo notified Mr Welstod of the mishap to tho

One of tho last boa’s to return to Mukaraki last evening brought throe fino pigs os part oargo. S'x pigs wore resouod from drowuing, bnt tho load being too great, throe hart to be let go at Mokuuri. Tbo owner, if ho is luoky, will therefore find throe of his pigs at Mnkiuri and throe at Makaraka. Sergeant Williams and three constables proooedod out fioat town with the roiief party which took tho first boat out, aud lent valuable assistance. Tha Povorty Bay Turf Club’s property is completely submerged and considerable

damage has taken plaos. Tho Willows settlement is under water, bnt most of the stock h »(l boon removed, Messrs W. Jobson and 0 Goldsmith considerately placing their high land at tho disposal cf those living on tho lowor portions. Several of tho relief party from town lent valuable assistance in rosouiog horsos and otbo: aiook.

Mr Walsh, of Makaraka, is reported to have lost ovor £2OO worth of chaff. Mr Thomas, of Makauri, is a heavy loser. He had 356 sheep, and removed them on Monday to what he thought was b place of safety. It would have boon better for him to have kept them at homo, for whilst everything about his own p'aoe was safe, tho sheep he shifted wore drowned, A large portion of his crop hut, also been swept away. He estimates his loss at over £4OO.

Mr Thomas King and tho members of his family hod a lively experience, thoro being oyer Bft of water in tho honee at the time they wero resound. Whilst the flood waters wore in aomo places not ! as high as in the flood of 1876, in others they wore much greater. Tho flood yesterday was felt most severely between Makaraka and Makauri. Very littlo damage was done on tho Whataupoko side of tho river. It was reported in town last evening that ut Waeronga-a bika tbo water was rlsieg, the store of Mr R. Oolobrook being flooded.

Speoial mention should ho made of tho servioos of Oapt. Olsen, of tbo barquentine Senorita He sent a boat out early in the day, and intimated that it would be avail-

able for as long as was necessary. The rivers in town kept steadily falling last night. There was an increase at II o’c'ock, ha! thereafter the flow de-

creased, though tho Waikanae torrent was still running strong at 8.80 a.m. One serious feature of the damage to

the Waikanae bridges is that the town is temporarily cut off from the sanitation depot.