Great Floods in Hawke's Bay

Hastings Standard, Issue 300, 19 April 1897, Page 4

Great Floods in Hawke's Bay

IMMENSE DAMAGE DONE

[The following appeared in Satur- j clay's issue :—]

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION IN TEERUPTED.

Early yesterday morning heavy rain began to fall, and a perfect deluge . continued all day till 9 p.m., when the weather cleared somewhat. Old residents of Hawke's Bay declare they never experienced so consistent a downpour, not even at the time of the '9B great floods, which hundreds have cause to remember. Yesterday's gale was quite unexpected, as on Thursday night there were signs of fine weather for Good Friday. In the early morning, however, all the lowlying parts of Hastings were under water, and much inconvenience was experienced by families living on the lower grounds. The deluge continuing, preparations were made in many instances to lift the furniture, Sec. The channelling*; were not sufficient to carry off the storm water, and the drains becoming blocked placed many householders in rather an unenviable condition. Locomotion was only possible by boats, carts, expresses. Sec. As the day advanced and the storm still continued, the gravest anxiety was felt for those living in proximity to the rivers, which were reported as raging torrents. With the continued deluge of rain even the main street in Hastings became flooded, the water in places covering the footpaths. The main drains became blocked and the surface water was damned back to an alarming extent. At 9 p.m. the rain ceased, but it was some hours before the flood waters fell in the upper part of the town. The inhabitants on the low-lying parts adjacent to the Havelock road spent an uncomfortable night, the water steadily rising, until at daylight it was several feet high in some of the houses. Boats were brought into requisition and horsemen lent valuable assistance getting the women and children from the fiooded-out dwellings. The river at Havelock is a roaring torrent and fears are entertained for every bridge that spans itYesterday afternoon a two-roomed cottage came down the river, passing under the Havelock bridge. The force of the water can be imagined when it is stated a concrete culvert at Havelock was moved away bolus bolus. WORK OF RESCUE. At 8 p.m. news was received that Mr Walls' family in Railway road were in danger—that it was pitiable to hear the cries for assistance from women and children living in that vicinity. The cries were heard in town, and Mr Cashion was the first to arrive at Mr Walls' house. On at-" tempting to cross to the house the culvert was swept away'and he went out of sight, but ultimately succeeded in swinging on to a raft, where he remained for about an hour. The next to arrive was Mr Charlton on horseback, and later on Constable Butler and Mr Harrison arrived with the racecourse boat, and worked well in the saving of stock. Mr S. Tong arrived on the scene with Mr List's boat, which was brought down In one of Beeeroft's expresses. Walls' family of nine, including a young baby were safely brought out in the Rob Roy. As the water was -Uft deep and running strongly the rescue was a plucky one. Messrs Charlton, Langley, and Cashion had in the meantime formed rafts and saved most of Walls' stock, but still he is a heavy loser. Too much cannot be said in favor of the • rescue party, each man working as if his life depended on it. The unpretentious old Hat-bottomed boat usually paddled about on the lake at the racecourse, has, by this Hood, become historic. Mr J. Coglan, assisted by Constable Butler and #Mr Harrison, put the dingy on board an express and started for Mr Walls' residence. About midnight the boat was carried to the eastern side of the town. It had now became apparent that the water was rising quickly in that lot iht> a.- it was buaking o%ei tin iailwa\ and ni-hmg v.ithguat rapidity to the lowland-. The boat and tuw aumd m tune to ltscue st\ctal fundus who were standing up to their armpits m water \ -id uht wi- w ltnc—i d on armal at lUu\ - hoti-t, whiit a jouhl, gnl hil to b ttkin fiom hi i bid ol -ick in - and ti ui-Lipptd to the t \pu —, hlu l--till m i Hiioib condition On ittount of ha\m_r no pioptt ou- atfathid to tin boit ll't woik of h nulling hi l u i- ditlicult, i-ptuill} win i! tht gak w. i- ia„in.r at it> hi i«ht ( utW ibk I'.utlti, Mi-t*» C h niton Ilani-on and Pihm r m mnt d tht link ciitt wink Mi 1 ( oirl m -tood l>\ with an i->iin md taittd-tou-ot pi op! tn di) land Tho-t who! wotked tht boat nri-t b< "luntlu j blub*-t pm-i for thtir -pit mil 1 j ttlutr- \t tinii-tht mw wik com i pclli 1 to-wnn a-Lon in ui It i to m ike j imiM for tin woitiiti and chiklrm j Mi—i- ) Hunt Lui-rlt \. and I d-lnon wtu engagtii ndin„' m'o pirth -nb nurgnl rtsidt nti-,.1 nd nsenlnu-«\tnl j fiuiiht- on thtir hnr-« -, ml w< ri , oumnuilbj up to tltir itt tk- m j witir ftoiu oilotk 1 t-t ni-rht j till thi- morning i*n rt-t'.< woik \\a- yruat'y fatilitttnl by th< inotmliyhc night Njt t.il other-, who-a \ u iiui i wt »irt' tni.il it tn -t-tt rt mi, j untlt rttl The hurximn j i tvjxrituctii toiwdtr.ibk ilitliLtiUj m | Ikuu tin ilik Ni Uh.ai> tin win ft f'Ct-, ai d fn pu utiv i dh ltd » 'h tbt wiuMf -t i>f tin r» -< iitd jnopk mr dr\«». to toAii, wi.iri ih } wt n h i i-t«l m hoiim t.f tht h'i\\ and board in j hint-it - Mr ami Mr-t < h irkon had tbt ir htvw <* packitl, and •» i<k all 'lit iS i*l -tiuktn i peopk) an e<nnfortablt* tw po—tiuk, I going aa far &t> to gne fckur OWB

private room to some of the children, some of whom were wet up to their necks. While there were many willing worker, special credit is due to those mon?io;vd abo^e. Constable Butler, assisted by Messrs long, Chariton, Piltner, Cughkui, Langley, Harrison, Cashion, J. Hunt, and others were engaged all night rescuing families on the flat, saving the occupants of at least forty residences. Every man of them worked like Britons. There were plenty of willing hands but only two boats. The water continued to rise all through the night. About 1.30 this morning the work of rescue was extremely difficult as a heavy gale sprang up, and for a time the boat was unworkable. The Hood had by this time been converted into a rough sea, and repeatedly broke over the boat and almost swamped it. Mr and Mrs Dunn were rescued on horseback. An old couple, 70 years fo age, named Riar, were rescued by Mr Langley. A number of persons were rescued from Quinnis' house, a two-months old child being carried out with its mother on horseback. When the rescue party arrived at Cammock's residence all the the occupants Mrs Cammock and six children—were in a bad state. Mr Cammock was away from town. They were all standing in the water in a half perished condition. Several other residents in the same locality were in a similar plight. DAMAGE IN LOW-LYING PARTS In Give street the flood was much in evidence. The water began to rise early yesterday morning, and it wa>, far from pleasant for some families who spent the day on tables, Ac, watching the rise of the water, and knowing that there was already 4ft. to sft. outside, with a probability of a further rise. Mr Tom Lincoln's house soon had the water inside, and to escape the rising flood —after piling tip all available furniture and getting on top of it —he had to cut a hole through the ceiling and get through with his family on to the top joist. A boat arrived at 1 o'clock this morning, but Mr Lincoln decided to remain until daylight, when all were rescued. The next-door neighbor, Mr Rich, also fared badly. Mr Rich is a newcomer in the district, having only been here about five months, and, although the house he occupies is built somewhat higher than the rest, the water broke throught at about midnight, and kept rising until the family were rescued in the small hours of the morning with only just the clothes they had on, and drenched to the skin. The boat sailed over the sft. paling fence in front of the house. Only one broad expanse of water was to be seen in the moonlight, with the partially submerged buildings dotted' about here and there. Mr Rich at the time of writing is likely to be a considerable loser if the water keeps rising as he has from £250 to £BOO of drapery in his house. Seeing the water rising he packed the goods as high as possible from the floor, but at the time he left the house the water had just risen to the lower-most goods. He intended starting business at Ilavelock shortly. The people next door, Mr and Mrs Hentz, also suffered greatly and had to be taken away in a boat. Their bad luck pursued them, for they had to make a second shift during the early hours of the morning, as with the continued rise of the flood, the house at which they had taken refuge was in danger of being flooded and had to be abandoned. The last boat-load saved contained three Chinnameu. When fairly on board the boat capsized and the Celestials were passed into the tide. They were rescued after a ducking. The Riverslea road is under water to depths varying to 8 feet. The culvert on Murdoch Railway road is almost washed away, making the road thereabout very dangerous. Every family from Murdoch road to Dufferin street has been flooded out, women and children leaving in the racecourse boat. Fears are entertained as to the safety of the Ilavelock bridge, which is reported strained, with the river running bank high. The'bridge at Paki Paki over the Awanui Creek has been washed aivay, which gives rise to the belief that the Ngarororu burst at the embankment built some 20 years ago. If this proves to be correct further heavy damage is certain to be reported. Several narrow escapes from drowning have been reported. Mr W. .1. Stack's cottage was surrounded with Oft of water, his family of sewn being rescued at midnight. Mr Stack loses a very valuable piano. INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD. While Mr T. Jones in charge of a meat-cart was perambulating the flat this morning the vehicle cap-d/ed. The driver succeeded in cutting the horse clear, but had <ome difficulty in senunblim,' to a fence, where he was located until rescued an hour and a half afterwards. Mr E. 11. Williams had an experience with a horse which he was driving. The animal persisted in lying down, placing its driver in an awkward predicament. RAILWAY COMMUNICATION. \\ L( ii }■«-'-«. rdu) u.'Ti. n.j'1< f: U.i-:fn_«- th-V. «.n- <:■>-, 2."U r- .iK-l-.dm.- n. «rv L>hd<i\ main r-. th a- :re -«« k< r-, .u:d 14 u.i! l '...f.i:hi.t. - !->..: N.ui.r <»f arris tl at .i \<-r.'H Ut'.w.ti I\i'.u I'.iki an i l'o ,'«„>.> l i: *v- i a:.i i\-.a the i.i.!- H.i 1 litii wt-h. 1 :m n, an 1 i\u tr.i.si h.il :,. ii'.ni:: t-s'r :!!'.:': m -:r i< ti'.u-i had K- :, r. • :.-d fr<»., s he.id.purur-. 'lh>' nifsy, r, ,\ .«-i. .iH-1 tli. r> v,.i- >iii:-' i. r ah!- delay Ufore vviri w.v- - »i: alwiiif ; to tttura'to liaatin,,*. A; o.UO p.m.

the train arrived, and there was a tremendous rush for re sum-ants and hotel*, some of those aJwid bvhi;* almost famished. They h.;d practically had no'.hing to eat ail day, except a few fish, which were cooked on the engine. One gentlemnn more courageous than the rest went out with his gun hoping to hag a few birds, but was unsuccessful. On a search for more food being made a barrel of hot cross buns consigned to "Pickering, Te Ante," was found, but as the train had by this time arrived in Hastings it was not considered necessary to broach the contents. It is certain they would have sold at a large profit. The lady passengers were in a pitiable condition, the experience being far from a pleasant one. The express from Wellington to Napier, which was also reported to be crowded, got as far as Makotuku, and being unabie to proceed further returned to Palmerston. The line between Napier and rlaskings is reported to have suffered considerably, the bridge at the Waitangi being greatly damaged. All railway traffic north and south of Hastings has been stopped, the lines being under water both ways. There is a washout of about 25 j chains long north of Paid Paki, also another 1 chain long and Hit, deep. The foundations of Longlands bridge are shaken. The railway authorities cannot say when communication will be resumed, but every endeavor is being made in that direction. HAVEL 0 G K. From Havelock to Paki Paki is one sheet of water. The Te Ante Road is impassible at Mr Harvey's, and settlers iu Pukehu have had a severe time. Messrs Evison and P.uick, near Louisa bridge, had to leave their houses in which there was several feet of water and take refuge at Mr Doyle's. Several toils of debris have been deposited against the south side of the Havelock bridge and many willing volunteers helped to relieve the strain. However, the bridge is still in considerable danger. Messrs Donnelly and Thompson had to be removed from their houses and put up at the Havelock Hotel. A heifer, the property of Mr Evison, was seen making a gallant struggle against the waters early this morning, and after a long effort succeeding in reaching land in a weakened condition. LOSS OF STOCK. The loss of stock is tremendous, the settlers in all directions losing heavily. Mr Williams lost 700 sheep in one mob. On the fiat scores of of sheep, pigs and cows were seen floating about. Mr W. Bridgman is a heavy loser. All the settlers in the low lying parts of the town are heavy losers. It is said that Mr T. Tanner, of " Riverslea, has lost over 1000 sheep. AT OMAHU The bridge was washed away at 2.80 yesterday afternoon. The approaches and everything else have all gone. All the Natives have left the Pah, almost all the whares being washed away. A most pitiable sight just before the bridge was washed away was a grey horse coming down the river. The water being over the bridge at the time he dived right under and got through safely. There is an enormous amount of damage to crops, and .thousands of sheep must have been drowued. All the residents of Feruhill were compelled to leave their houses ami make tracks for the hotel, that being the only place not under water. Two "Maoris were washed off their horses getting away front the Pah, but whether they were drowned or not cannot be said. CLI V E . Clive is under water, and a traveller who got through to Hastings this morning reported that in the lower parts of the township only the tops of four houses are to be seen. Communication with elsewhere has been completely cut off. Great loss of stock is reported. The flood waters extend from Woodend towards Chve as far as the eye can reach. At 10 o'clock this morning an observation of Clive was taken from Mr McLean's house with a telescope. The result is certainly serum-, from what can be made out several houses are washed away. TOMOANA Js al-ocovuvd null \\ iter, there being our four In! on thi budge, t'oiamtini.'a'ion i-j con-e<pu ntly stopped with the Napier side, no that the damage to the railway cannot yet Ik' ascertained, but th" authorities are ci rtaiu that a number of wa-houts hau takt-n placf. Ntl-on lire-.' -dscpp at this side of the rut-r are -afe, but tht -aft tv »f some Ia.OOO she-p bolomniu: to th< -aim linn at Che-terhop.' i- graxety «pi< -toned, j Mr P>. crmft -tart-.1 ihl- af'> rrvum to I rim; away a u imU r of tloo I i.o ml peoph to II Ht'uiu- with hi- \< Licit--. MU£ALK\KUii>. Mr J. Ilitrvri r, drmr of the mail Coach, arm id ht re at 1.1 "» p.m. in n trap. Ihrtport-th. re id- in a terriM" condition, tht w.u<r in many places coimiii.' up to th>* -pU-*h board. A tin-;], ribh amount of damage n,n | done in and around Mara» kakitho, t thou-and- of jh> :iuN worth of -.t««*-k : bting !o-t and butt-*-- o-.trl'trmd i>v i the wat< r-. So far tin re t- no tut* Ih r 1 Z< IHV of 10-i of lift . j KLOUl>h AT WAIPAWA. i \\ ui'\w v. Thai »!a>. The !u-i\y Hood )t-a»-rda> -eour.al ' ttu i-iii'i At thf *Ji«th end of the rati- , way bridge The train*' cannot cnr*^. All thv low portions of the town are '. rWlt-J. The Wsipukurau raft.* have been 1 poitpoaed.