FLOOD DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1923, Page 1

FLOOD DISASTER.

AlAßl.Bnllol'CirS jXVXDA Tlt IN. I’XR’L'iCTLAiV OF DA .WAGE. [BY TiII.KUIiAPH- I’ll! I'RKSS ASSOCIATION'.] REENIfF.IAf. A fay 10. Bain is still I'.dling intermittently, hut the rivers have fallen considerably. There is no sign yet of E. K. Bobinson and the farm bid. Gedhill. Then parties searched a wide area yesterday in boats and to-day search parlies are systematically going over the country. A party left Blenheim on Sunday for Christchurch but were stopped at Ward and returned from Ward yesterday. the thirty-four miles occupying i.be whole day. The party confirm the serious damage to Clarence bridge and to tlie approaches of Ere Bridge. Flaxtom no Bridge is quite sale. It is reported that Hapuku bridge was washed l.iwav, but this lacks confirmation. Mails were held up at Tnamnriiui, from where it was.brought to Blenheim yesterday afternoon, by a six horse wagon. The water was found very deep. ii)i to the horses girths. About half a dozen passengers came from T onmarina to' Blenheim on the waggon. A return mail was sent out by waggon at 7.1 A this morning from Blenheim. Tt was found yesterday that Onamaulu To roil could not lie communicated .vith. The settlers brought the mails icross the hills to the main road on Anamaluiu Valiev. l arge areas at Dillon's Point. Grovo:own. Spring Crock. Tuamariun ue still inundated. Practically the .vhols' of lower Wairau is inundated, ['here lias been a tiemendons loss of dock, but it is impossible yet to give uiv estimate of what this loss will noan. Arnrlborough town presents a desoate, dreary scene. All the fences are .cashed out. In a paddock close to Spring Creek station. A. Vickers lost 100 sheep. All the bouses at the Maori ?a were inundated. AY AI AIT BRIDGE BROKEN. CHRISTCHURCH. May 10. The Waiau Bridge is now completely irokeii in two, and c'nmivuimcatiou with Parnassus is stopped. The loss of the ,ridge will bo a very serious niatter