IN FLOOD TIME

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1926, Page 1

IN FLOOD TIME

EXCITING ADVENTURES. THAMES, Alay 27. Reports from the outlying portions of the Thames Comity give details of some exciting adventures of settlers during the recent rough weather. These mostly come from Puketui. which is in the Tairua riding of the county. When the storm was at iis height on Thursday night the suspension bridge at Hilcuai snapped at ground level ard became a tangled mass in the river. The swollen river flooded tb. roads and farms, damaging the crops and buildings. Large numbers of cattle were drowned, and there are numerous slips and washouts. Air Morrison estimates damage and loss of stock at £SOO.

Mr M. Purdy felt bis bouse moving under the swirling waters. He took refuge on a table and gripping the rafters, supported himself until the house came to rest half a chain away. A[r Allan Taylor waded out into the night to unloose his dog, leaving the door open. Returning he found that a. number of cows had occupied the kitchen. They could not be moved until the morning, when the flood subsided.

Air Bruce Lowe, with his wife and family, fearing for the safety of bis home, weathered the storm overnight on top of a water tank. AVhen morning came all but three of bis cows bad been washed .away. Air Hainlyn lost a number of cattle and had liis crops flooded. Sonic valuable furniture was rendered useless. Fortunately his family were in Auckland.

All the settlers worked hard throughout the night to save wliat stock they could. Pawanui Beach, at Tairua. is new strewn with dead animals.

The crew and captain of a scow which was loading at Hikuai for Auckland luckily prevented its being stranded on one of the farms along the river.

Three travellers bad a rough trip from Puriri to Hikuai. AVhiist crossing a flooded crook one of their horses cut an artery on one of its legs and was put out of action. Through pitch darkness the party walked the remaining nine miles, using the two horses to cross the river and streams. The waters are now subsiding everywhere and the mail service is being restored.