THE FLOODS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 52, 26 June 1896, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

—. —+ DAMAGE IN All, DIRECTIONS. RAILWAY TRAFFIC AT A STANDSTILL. BRIDGES WASHED AWAY. After the tremendous downpour experienced throughout the district for three days it was fully expected that great damage would be done by the Hoods ; but it was hardly anticipated that the damage would reach the enormous extent it has done. To-day communication is completely cut oft with Napier by the ordinary channels, the road being blocked at Clive and a number of washouts preventing the train getting through. The Ngaruroro and Tntutuki rivers overflowed their banks, and miles and miles of country a.re under water. The report that a man had been drowned at Clive lacks confirmation, but the rumor probably arose from the fact that the: police had been making inquiries for the safety of a man known as " The Hermit." All the low-lying portions of Napier were under water, and a tremendous sea was breaking in all day. The Waitangi stream rose very quickly, and the approach to the bridge has been washed away. The Tutaekuri River was in lieavy flood, and the low country surrounding it is all under water. At Meanee the water was Tift deep in places. From south comes word of damage all along the line, the bridge at Waipawa being considerably knocked about. The Aslmrst railway bridge also suffered considerably. With a change in the weather, the water is falling evemvhore. ]\y the courtesy of Mr S. F. Ilaszard, Ave learn that the Tukituki at Waipukurau was still very high, but falling slowly. The Ngaruroro at Maraekakaho is falling rapidly. The Waipawa River at Waipawa has fallen considerably since 10 o'clock last night. The rain lias ceased, and the weather is breaking. A large slip is reported on the line at Papatu and another near Takapau. The north end of the Waipukurau bridge has collapsed. There are numerous slips and washouts between Matamau and Makotoku. At Tomoana the water did considerable damage to several residences. This afternoon arrangements have been made for a train from Napier to Waipukurau, passing through Hastings at five o'clock, a train from south arriving in Napier being due at 6.50 p.m. The. passengers by the G o'clock train from Napier had an experience, the carriages becoming blocked at Clive. Some of those aboard, Masons who had arranged to attend the Hastings Lodge meeting, came on by trolly. The mails left Napier by coach at 7 o'clock this morning, and did not arrive liere until 1.30 this afternoon. [By Telegraph.] [Special to Standard.] Auckland, June 2G. Yesterday's flood was the most serious that has occurred for many years. Much damage was done to roads and bridges, two of the latter having been swept away. Christchurch, June 26. Rains have caused floods in the country districts, and the rivers are high. The weather shows no signs of clearing. Paljierston, This Day. Very heavy rein has been falling all day, and grave fears are entertained for stock owing to the Manawatu river being swollen. The evening train left for Woodville, but w T as unable to get through the gorge owing to the heavyflood in the Pohangina river, which scoured away the approaches to the bridge. The down express from Wanganui was late owing to slips at Turakina. The 9.5 train from Wan- i ganui did not arrive here until a late ! hour and reported that the line hud i been washed away at Wangaehu. I