LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 300, 19 April 1897, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to the extraordinary demand for copies of the Standard on Saturday evening, we republish on our fourth page today the first account of the floods. The excitement in town was intense, and a special edition of 1300 was disposed of in a couple of hours. Copies of to-day's issue may be had from Messrs H.H. Hunt, J. Bowler and this office. Captain Russell has kindly ottered to supply hay for stock of flood sufferers. Williams and Kettle hold a large stock sale at Stortford Lodge to-morrow. The Feilding races have been postponed till next month. Mr H. H. Murdoch returns thanks to the gentlemen who warned him of the flood on Black Friday night. Constable Stephenson, drowned in the floods, is a brother of the well-known oarsman. Feeling reference was made in all the pulpits yesterday to the terrible disaster that has overtaken the province. The opening dance of the Olivette Assembly takes place this evening at the Oddfellows Hall.* The usual fortnightly peel of the firebell took place at 7 o'clock last evening. The cause of the alarm was on account of a burning chimney at O'Rielly's hotel. The Railway Traffic Manager to-day received a wire from Palmerston that traffic oil the Foxton line and between Palmerston and East Town was suspended until further notice, but that the line north of Wanganui was all right. There are some owners of horses who seem to have no feeling whatever for the poor animals. We saw yesterday morning an express, drawn by a poor emaciated horse, start for Clive, and there were no fewer that 10 passengers besides the driver, who was no light weight. A large number of the storm-staved visitors departed this morning, those for the south leaving by coach for Ivaikora, 23 miles, at 6 a.m., from whence they will proceed by rail to "Wellington ; and those for the north per coach to Waitangi, where ferries are provided, and thence by rail to Napier. Mr Arthur McCartney, one of the Napier rescue party drowned, lias heen in Hawke's Bay for many years. He was formerly connected with the Armed Constabulary, from which he resigned in 1870 to take over the Greenmeadows Hotel. From there he went to Napier to the Caledonian Hotel and has lately assumed possession of the Albion. He has been in poor health for some time, but immediately lie heard of the distress in Farndon he joined the rescue party. He leaves a widow and four children. With reference to the delay of the express at Paki Paki on Friday, enquiries made have elicited the fact that the Department made every effort to send instructions for its return, but as all the wires were down these instructions could only be sent by special messenger. As soon as the news of the stoppage was reported at Napier a special relief engine was dispatched. This could get no further than Farndon. A messenger was sent from there on a trolly, but he was stuck up at Whakatu. Word was then sent from Hastings, and with great difficulty the instructions to return were conveyed to the guard. It has been pointed out that according to railway regulations a train cannot put back over its run without instructions from- the manager. This is necessary to provide against accidents. It is clear that the Department did all that was possible, and under the circumstances the delay was not great. Most of the passengers appeared to realise that it was necessary for the guard to obey the regulations and they accepted the delay with commendable grace. Under the almost unparalleled circumstances in which the Railway Department has been placed through the floods in Hawke's Bay, it is indeed pleasing to congratulate the Department on having in its service so capable an officer as Mr I. Fans, the acting Traffic-Manager. It speaks volumes for his ability and foresight that to-day communication has been restored both north and south, and that not a single hitch has occurred, all the time tables arranged for being carried out to the letter. The anxiety in Hastings as to when the 200 benighted travellers could return to their homes was very great, and expressions of thankfulness were heard on all sides last evening when circulars were distributed giving full information as to time-tables for to-day. Some very smart work was yesterday put in by the railway officers. Arriving in Hastings at 4 p.m. Mr Far is had at once particulars as to the condition of the line. Arrangements were immediately made with Mr Beeeroft, and by 8 o'clock printed notices were freely circulated with particulars of a 'bus. ferry, and train service to Napier, commencing this morning. An hour afterwards the public were in receipt of full particulars of the southern service by 'bus and train. Between Kaikora and Takapau. as only one engine was available, a limited time-table was arranged for, whereby trains connect with the four principal trains oti the other side. The general public have expressed their appreciation of the promptness with which an abnormal difficulty was overcome, and »s we before remarked the Department is to be congratulated on having in its service so capable an officer asMrFaris. What work fell to his lot may be imagined when it is stated that he was on duty almost without intermission for 63 hours. Wellington wart-house prices- are in everv instance eharer-d by the I>. I. C. when executing orders received by post. T' in of Of r< - dt nt< who want rtelh nice fashionable goods need not hesitate ab i > With th* 1> I < . \\ i'. r < i»„pU:e i- * i -»*■( i<l :' ui': 1 . 1> I i i! i' . - hi j at.t l pi"i i* ,u • * ii .i'» ii t . - I* i > rf ■ I » Ua' >„ .i.'. i • .i - p -• •> \.t * r 1 .tr ■> ( 1-1 I' I If\r.K IiK'iILAT U i - ifi it I'"< t! • i» ■ it-dv for StiiuiJMih in l Li.,. - ."h** hvhg' 11. ...lt<- .. < pci 1' Ac It'* (i r-heve or cure. 'ls 6d p-r ! 1 j !-«'■>. lrs' cVu-ini*!, Nap.er an f Hi , and all icitdillg omuu-% 6iuft*eep«ia —Xvvx.