SCENES AT CLIVE.

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

SCENES AT CLIVE.

A BRIDGE WITH A HUMAN" BURDEN. AN OVERFLOWING HOTEL. WITHOUT FOOD. A MOTHER'S EXPERIENCE. TWO HOURS IN TWO FEET OF WATER. A NARROW ESCAPE. SIGNALS OF DISTRESS. An t}t wkru-- • a: i\ir;, I in - lj.f.ii* - us with whatt'v»L<r iiifonnAUon <*u "• l< 1 be obtained in the vicinity of the hoa I, si bv;n_r -.Me i:. f >r ;tr.j hiUErt; in t'.ih-r tha: -p->:. The- cvp-in-iv of w it-r to he »tn in all dirtctiwu-s, wuh th»> tO[K of b-r« and ih*r»\ a:: i :;)»■ rapid current* carnin« ; 4 y >i. t<! slock, tux ;hui o 's to b« EtUifc^bered

for the rest of their natural lives by those who witnessed them, and those who did see them speak of the scene as one they hope never to see again. The water began to rise rapidly on Friday evening, and those in the vicinity of the hotel made their way" •there with all speed, but those on the opposite side of the bridge were not so fortunate, and their position became serious. All the highest portions of the town were made for, and a number of men, women, and children were observed the next day taking shelter on the bridge, over which the water was flowing. Their position became serious, the water still rising, and communication was cut off from both ends, there bcivg about feet of water and strong currents running, which precluded horses and traps reaching them in their perilous position. Urgent messages, the last telephonic messages that were able to be sent, were forwarded to the Inspector of Police and the Mayor of Napier, advising them of the state of affairs, and asking that boats should be forwarded at once. These instructions were obeyed, and as soon as possible a train, containing seven boats, including the lifeboat, were. despatched for Farndon, But these were only able to proceed as far as Awatoto, where they were launched, and a desperate struggle was made by those manning them to make headway against the terrific sqn&lls and the heavy streams which were running out to sea. The progress was extremely slow, it being found necessary to keep the heads of the boats continually against the stream, and some two or three miles had to bo made in this direction before any attempt could be undertaken in the direction of Farndon. One boat reached Papakura, and after rendering assistance to a distressed family, they dropped down to Farndon, whither the lifeboat had preceded them. These were the only boats to reach Farndon. The worfv of rescue was carried on by these two boats, and their efforts were greatly appreciated by a number of half-drowned people. A number of thrilling cases are recorded, and in some instances the rescue was very opportune. Those on the bridge were among the first to receive attention, and indeed their forlorn situation excited the greatest pity from those who observed them at the hotel. The current being so swift, great danger attached to their rescue; but, after many narrow escapes, they were safely landed at the hotel, after being on the bridge from 6 p.m on Friday till midnight, in driving sleet and pelting rain. The children suffered much from exposure, and after-consequences may be anticipated in some instances. At midday on Saturday there was ■ 18in. of water in the bar of the Farndon Hotel, and in the back part of the place it was as deep as Oft. At this time there were about I*lo men, women, and children in the hotel, and the want of food was becoming a serious question, as communication was cut off from both ends. It was pitiful to hear the cries of the children for food. Whatever food could bo obtained was kept for the women aud children, and up to Saturday night the rneu had to submit to the pangs of hunger. The terrible condition of a woman and her three childi 11. only a short distance from the hotel, was extremely' distressing to those who were compelled to witness her state without being able to render any assistance. It seems that the husband left her and the children earlier in the evening to get help, but the water rose so rapidly that he found it impossible either to get back or give any assistance, the water rushing down the culverts at such a rapid rate that it would have been certain death to any one that attempti d to rescue her. Horses could not stand in it. and it was not until the arrival of a boat from Napier that she could be removed. The woman had then been standing in the water up to her waist for fully two hours, with her children, placed on a box, beside her. The woman's cries for help had bec-n most heait-rending. Every attention was given them on arrival at the hotel, and, indeed, it was necessary as, they were thoroughly numbed and exhausted.

A man, whose name wo were unable to ascertain, had an eventful experience, and one that he will no doubt remember for some considerable time. 011 horseback he had volunteered guide the boat which set out to tako to guide the boat which set out to take the people oil" the bridge, but aft".' proceeding some distance the current struck the boat, veering her round and striking the horse. The animal became very ie-uv.% and rearing and plunging threw its riuer into a swift stream. The man w.s -> ( *rried under a fence, but after going some distance he managed to clutch hold of a tree* in passing. II" up the tree some time before his covered, and was eventually taken otl, after his companions bad been somo time 1 nd< avonm* to make the spot, which was only -miti' few yards' distant, owing fto the running. It was report* d that an old couple were still in their house, which was idm.'it covered with water, ami the boa: made off in i* ■ hr clion : but after preceding a h r h tance and after many futile attempts bad been made to reach the place the task had to l>e abandoned. Signals of tlistn—> bv Qu; tirinsr of glint could l>© h'-arl in all directions at tile hotel : b it :h>> n.'trinir t<'rr.-tiU pr> ■ 1 ; led any au«-mr,t being madu to !ui-'.\-r thtni. i ie- wat. r was from I ft to sft deep sn i.-ain road, and the houses b S'-low the .road level could only just be seen. The roidt are highly ianL'»-ro'i«. an in placet gr-at washout.- have occurred, and srreat danger vwLl bo i.\p»ru-nct:d until th» waiter subsiden. Between 2ft iwsd hft of water wa.s coursing across tk j Farn i.?n Park, and re*aU will U that the reserve

must be destroyed lor etbletie purposes for some time to come, as a few inches of silt will he left behind. It was reported that the residence of Mr Montague Lv-eelles had been flooded, but those who are acquainted with its position aver that if this was so the whole of Clivv would be washed away. Constable Kennedy, of Give, was very active in his endeavors to render assistance, and took command of tbe boats on their arrival from Napier.