REEFTON.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1105, 12 February 1872, Page 3

REEFTON.

We *re fndebted to a visitor to Beef ton for the following particular* of the floods in that district :- On Thursday hat Beefton was visited by a flood that will be long remembered. The river Inangahua had oeen rising all day. Towards seven o'clock it was overflowing its banks and flooding the flat on which the town is situate. The flat runs back from the river about a mile and a half, and is densely timbered and intersected by creeks. At seven o'clock these creeks were full, and the strong current of the river found its way down there. The river bank, began to disappear with alarmifeg rapidity, and the current swept into the town. About sundowa (eight o'clock) men, women, and children began to poor in from the lower part of the town, and serious uneasiness was . felt as to the fate of the town and all who were in it. As darkness crept on, end the river still rose — the cmrent setting directly in for the town- carrying enormous trees, &c.j into the streets and houses— the feeling of alarm began to spread among all. Many left. in the hopes of forcing their way through the flooded ground abodt a mile away. Very few succeeded in reaching it, many spending the night on logs and trees in the bush*; The majority, however, cast their fate in with the town, feeling the hopelessness of battling with the flood in the bush at night. From eight o'clock until ten: the river rose rapidly, taking great slices out of the banks. The trees were heard crashing and falling at the rear of the town as the water undermined and brought them down. At ten o'clock jj)» praters were at their highest, and {Commenced slowly to recede. The rain, which had been falling heavily and steadily «U day, ato lightened about this time. In the morning, the damage done was but too visible. In front of Barker's Hotel-there was but seven or eight feet of ground left. Huge trees, stumps, and logs were piled up in various parts of the town, the Drewery had beeni undermined and brought down, several houses in the back streets were weshed away— one, a new house, just completed by Mr Sheldon, of Westport The damage actually done, though considerable; was much less than was anticipated, but enough was done to show that a mistake had been made in placing the town on a low river-bed flat. In one sense it may be. said to have been a fortunate thing that this flood occurred when it did. Had it been delayed a few months it would be a serious matter to, remove the town. As, it is. the sooner it is done the better, for that a Jane and permanent tow a will spring up at Beefton few can doubt who have visited the district, but not on the present site. Fortunately there w a spendid site not more' than a mile or so in the rear of the present town, on a terrace far above the reach of any floods. It is to be hoped, therefore^ that the Nelson Government will so far depart from their usual sluggishness as to take immediate steps to nave this site properly surveyed, and made accessible from the river by means of a good road. The revenue received in the town during the last two or three months would amply suffice, and the residents have a strong claim to have some portion of their money returned to them in local works. At present not one ihilHng has been spent by the Provincial Government on ptibHo works in this diatrict,. ...„. ■ , -■