FRENCH FLOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1930, Page 5

FRENCH FLOODS

STORIES OF TRAGEDY

[United Press Association--By Electric Telegraph—Copy r ; ght. ]

PARIS, March 7

, It is estimated that five hundred houses have been carried off at Moissac. The countryside is littered with debris and furniture. At least ten thousand are homeless in the flood area. Aeroplanes rescued sixteen men who had been immersed at Saint Rafrice for forty-eight hours. The death roll at Moissac, which is two hundred, would have been much higher, but most of tlie people wore at Hagenbacks Circus. Otherwise they would have been trapped in their beds. The market place is now the encampment for the circus animals. A shocking story is related. One villager clutched two small children, climbed on top of a wall, and there was obliged to watch, helpless while four others of his family, including his wife, were swept off by the flood. A weeping, mudstained woman was seen pushing a harrow piled up with furniture and clothes. Asked where she was going, she replied ‘“Anywhere! Tdo not care.” Her husband had been drowned and their child was in his arms. A wealthy youth was drowned after he had helped over a hundred to escape from their homes: The Minister of Public Works pinned the ribbon of the Lennon of JLonour on this dead youth’s lireast at the Hospital. Tt is impossible to estimate + lu ’ total death roll until the end of the week, as bodies are continually being found in the ruins of the houses.