OLD KUMARA

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1926, Page 4

OLD KUMARA

EXTRACTS FROM THE “ KI’MARA TIMES,” FEBRUARY, 1877.

(Contributed.) Never since Kuniara lias been a i township, nor the district for some i years before, has it witnessed such a destructive downpour as that which 1 has taken place since last Thursday. To call it rain would be using a mild ’ term, il was a solid downpour, like as if old Aquarius had reversed bis bucket and kept il so. Thursday night and . Friday morning, and still no signs of 1 abatement and all day Friday the streets were all but impassable. O’Hara’s Lake was overflowing its 1 banks, while around Ituggs corner a stream, sufficient lor 10 heads ol water swept along. In front of Frank Keenan’s sufficient water ran down to run a good-sized water wheel. AA'itli regard to Seddon street, traffic was stopix-d, the bridge over the culvert between Airs Loach’s and the “Kuniara Times" office was impassable, the creek over, flowing the top rendering it dangerous for foot passengers to cross. All tfie other portions of the town were more or less swamped. Saturday morning brought wit'll il no improvement. Rain, rain, rain, and no signs of it clearing up. A dangerous break occurred in tlic top of the Zig Zag. The road lias been fairly sluiced away by the storm water from the town, which findings.no j other vent lias swept into the gully al j the first break leaving a gap some 40ft or 50ft in length by 20ft in width, preventing the possibility of any traffic. Yesterday Air Houlahnn of the Arnbura Road Board, visited the place in company with the contractor, Mr Dee, and instructions were at once given to proceed wiffli the reconstruction of the road forthwith. Accordingly early this morning a large number of men were busily enmployed in repairing it. Considering the rain the Tercmaknu was not so high, although it was over its banks for some distance. From the Tercmaknu to Houlahnns the road is in n sad plight, large patches of it being clean swept away, leaving nothing but the original formation. On arrival at Hou la hail’s some idea of the immense quantity of water that went down the creeks, especially the Greenstone, is visibly apparent, both sides of the creek are scoured, and the approaches to the Greenstone bridge are swept away for some 12 or 14 feet on either side, while the bridge Itself is slewed ” on one side, on the Ivumara, end. The bridge over the Blnckwater is safe.

The large culvert, crossing the road near the Junction, has boon swept away, and nothing left but a mass of mud and slush. The bridge over tlie I hree-mile creek on tlie Greenstoneroad is safe, but not that, near the Greenstone Township, which has entirely disappeared. A miner, named M illinms. living on the roadside between the Junction and the Greenstone. had a narrow escape. His hut and everything belonging to him were swept away, and be only saved himself by clinging on to a raft, the water being up to his armpits till daylight. The Townshio of Greenstone is a wreck. Mr Foley's hotel, store, and butc-lier's shop were completely washed away, also some sheep, and Mrs Foley and child had to make a hasty escape for their lives. Nothing was saved, and ' the damage was estimated at between £7OO and £SOO. Mr William Morgan's cottage, furniture, etc., were also carried away; Davidson’s boot and shoe store partially destroyed, but furniture and stock saved. Harris’s hotel partially destroyed; while numerous huts have also disappeared. Some doubt exists as to the safety of the Chinese at Maori Point. Some of their huts have gone and some of the Chinese are missing. The road between the Junction and Marsden is in a fearful state. Landslips are frequent, and in one place, near Cassidy’s old store, there is a gap over a chain wide. The approaches to the bridge over the New River at Marsden are also gone. Altogether the road from Kumarh to Marsden is a. wreck, and we are assured on competent authority, that it will be

at least three weeks before a coach will he able to travel {he distance. The Rangiora Standard says:—“A petition, circulated by a lot of idiots on the Kulnara Goldfield, is going the rounds of that district. The contents I of the document in question are in effect to ask the Government to cause I an investigation into the conduct of Mr Matt Price, with a view to his removal. Whatever can be said against that gentleman’s eccentricities in private life, it has long been admitted that he is by far one of the ablest magistrates in the colony. A skilled lawyer, a fearless man, not caring a jot for "prince, parson, or publican.” Captain Price’s services to the Gov-

eminent and the public have, for a great many years past been most valuable. Of course, he cares not, in the execution of his duties, upon whose soft-corns he treads.” The first wedding in Kuniara Was celebrated at eight o’clock this morning, at the Registrar’s Office. The happv couple were named respectively Robert Brooks and Elizabeth Grooby. Mr Registrar Birch performed his duties in a satisfactory manner and the newly-married departed for Hokitika to spend the honeymoon-