FLOOD DAMAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1923, Page 3

FLOOD DAMAGE.

FURTHER DETAILS. Til RILI.ING EXPERIENCES. [BY TKLF.GRAVII—nut BRUSH ASSOCIATION.] BLENHEIM, May 8. The flood was the highest on record and came up with such suddenness that it was impossible to rescue the residents in all the low-lying area before dark. The shortage of boats also made rescue work slow, and as a result many families, particularly in the Grove Road area, had to spend the night under terrible conditions, instances being quoted of families huddled together all night on the top of clients of drawers, while others stood all night on the tops of tafiles. However, all seemed bright and cheerful when rescue work was resumed this morning. No fatalities are reported though there have been some romarsa do escapes at Hales Corner. Sprm gin ids. Four drays carrying people were >vc; turned, one after the other, but overtone escaped, though in one case, a horse was drowned. A cart v,as also .swamped in Hutcheson St. and the two men occupants spent twelve hours in a tree, crying for help. Tlie town is in an appal’ing stale as the flood waters recede. Tlie shop-keepers are reporting heavy losses. WELLINGTON WEATHER. WELLINGTON. May 8. Hoavv rain came on again last night, making the fall to 9 a.m. 3.9 inches. The wind shifted to the north this morning and after a lull, the lain started again. THE RAIN HAS STOPPED. NO TRAIN TRAFFIC TO OTIRA THIS WEEK. CUIUSTCHURCIT. May 9. Rain lias ceased in the c ity and parts of the country and the flood water is receding. All railway traffic north of Ivaiapoi is blocked, but it Is hoped to get the afternoon trains to Kaugiora. "'A bad wash-out at Sefton will block trains to Waipnrn. for some time. There are live wash-outs on the Cheviot line and Waiau bridge near Parnassus is bndlv damaged. Tlie damage beyond Springfield on the Midland line is unascertaiiiable, but no traffic is possible to Otira 'tunnel Uns v. s' ok. 'i lie express is running to Dunedin as normal. Considerable damage was done to stocks of blankets at Kniapoi mill where the average depth ol water throughout the factory was two lent.

BLENHEIM'S CONDITION. RECORD DAMAGE done. I';I. EX f I KIM, May 9. Ti;,. flood which inundated the town is v. hat is known in Marlborough as an ‘-Old Alan" flood. That is to say, the whole of the watershed came into I lay simultaneously and all the rivers and streams on the plain contributed to the disaster. Such a concurrence is very rare. Old residents sa\ there Infs been nothing like it lor halt a century, and the experience tesemhlcs very closely that of the famous ISOS flood. Deports from all directions state the flood was tlie severest within the memory of tlie present generation. Wairau river broke it s banks at Whittle's bond and inundated the whole of Sluing C reek district. Ilieie were three feet of water in the Kerry

and Junction Hotel. Tho whole of the peninsula is deeply flooded and ehscrvers state no stock can be living there.

It is most serious in Tuamarina. which is still isolated by large stretches of water. A number of corn stacks have been swept away and there 100 it is feared the loss cf stock will he hoavv.

The railway from i'icUm to Whiirauui is badly damaged. No trains will run for a considerable time. In several places the permanent way has been washed out and at Spring Greek the rail- are suspended f"r several bundled \ unis

There is no load eommunieatiuii with 'Pic toil.

Tho flood interfered with the gas supply In the (out re of fee town v. itli the result that the Aim (borough “Express” is unable to publMi in its usual form, though a small hand sheet printed on a treadle machine, was < ireulatcd.

Koine large plate glass windows in the principal shop's were smashed by floating logs. The damage to husino.-s peoples’ stocks must bo very hoa\\. Tlie waters are now receding everywhere but it is still raining. The scene in town beggars description, a fhu k layer of filthy silt being left over every tiling.