THE FLOOD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 61, 26 March 1880, Page 2

THE FLOOD.

The flood that has occurred during the past week through the overflowing of the Manawatu River is the heaviest that has occurred in the memory of the oldest inhabitants of this part of the district. We learn that high floods are more common than is generally supposed by recent arrivals. An old settler informs us that some years there have been as many as four or five in the season, whilst perhaps for the two following years there may not have been a single flood. That the present one is far higher than the average of floods is admitted by all the old settlers, and when we take into consideration the terrible destruction of stock, the depreciation in value of property, and the anxiety it has caused throughout the whole district, we are sure the general feeling at present is one of earnest hope that we may never again as a County be called upon to pass through such an ordeal. CAUSE OP THE ELOOD. A glance at the map shows that the Manawatu River drains an immense tract of country. On the eastern side of the Tararua Range, the Mangahao, the Mangatainoko (with its tributary the Makakahi), the Tiraumea (with its tributaries the Waitawhiti and Puainea), all flow into it from the south, whilst the main stream ramifies extensively in a northern direction, and takes its source in the Provincial District of Hawke's Bay, near Takapau, which, as the crow flies, is 70 miles from the mouth. Then on the western side of the Range there flow into it the Pohangina and Oroua Rivers, and the Taonui and Mangaone streams. It will therefore be seen that the inflow is enormous, being the drainage of a vast tract of country, and in addition to this the river i is the outlet of a large portion of the storm and snow water from both sides of the Tararua range. As a matter of fact, the rain on tlie western side of the range has been comparatively slight. Since last Sunday very little has fallen on the low lands, though it has been apparently raining hard on the mountains during a great portion of the intervening time. On the east coast, however, the weather has been very bad. Gales have occurred, and heavy rains, and it is therefore evident that the flood from which Manawatu has suffered so heavily is the result of the weather on the East Coast. This is proved by the fact that at the Gorge the water has been unprecedently high, nothing of the kind having been seen before (the rise being 58 feet). The vast mass of water rolling through the Gorge, and filling up the river, has " banked " up all the streams and drains on this side of the range to such an extent as to prevent their relieving the country of the rain water as it fell. Nearly all the swamp lands in the County have therefore been under water. AT FOXTON. Oil Tuesday last, the Manawatu began to rise rapidly at Foxton. Throughout the day it gradually climbed the banks, and towards evening a body of water was making its way across the flat opposite Mr Liddell's residence and joining the main body of water near Mr Robinson's residence. As the flood rose higher, the whole flat opposite Foxton became quite submerged, and next morning the water was tearing right across it. A VIEW FROM THE PERRY HILL on Wednesday morning well repaid those who climbed it. Instead of the Manawatu river steadily gliding ( along between its banks, the mdi- j viduality of the river was lost in the mass of water that spread before the eye. Away to the south the whole flat beyond Mr J. T. Stewart's residence was a body of water, the houses of Adams (brickmaker), Wintersgill, Dean (fellmonger), Neylon, Guerin, C. Symons and others all being surrounded by water. Near Guerin's house, which fronts the proposed Foxton-Otaki road, could be seen the white tarpaulin cover of a large stack of hay, apparently about eight or ten feet out of water. Iv front, the whole flat was covered with water, vast bodies of which were tearing then* way across the Maori swamp, and joining the main river opposite and some distance below Mr Robinson's house. The river was a boiling torrent, and huge eddies and whirlpools covered the face of what is usually a most placid river. Vast masses of wood and debris were constantly swept past, and as great trees went rolling along tumbling over and over, they gave unmistakeable evidence of the force of the current.which must have been running at nearly 10 miles an hour. The appearance of the immense sheet of water dotted here and there with the heads of flax, was very striking, and not likely to be soon forgotten by those who saw it from the ferry hill. THE WHARF was the scene around which the interest appeared to concentrate, and as the flood continued to rise on Wednesday knots of people gathered along the promenade, on the wharf, and along the bank in front of Mi* Cook's house. The steamer Jane Douglas was lying at the berth belonging to the old part of the wharf, but when the fresh began to increase

Captain Fraser dropped astern about 20 feet, in order to cleat his vessel of the rush of water which came across the corner of the wharf, owing to the driftwood that had gathered at the south end. Where she was moored, the Dougles was out of all danger, being in the centre of a large eddy, wliich prevented the fresh putting any strain upon the steamer. Every precaution was taken by Captain Faaser, and no accident of any kind occurred. On Weduesday afternoon the District Engineer took to Capt. Fraser a message from the Hon. John Hall, who was in Foxton, asking him to steam up to his lines to prevent any strain on the wharf, for the safety of whioh fears were felt. Captain Fraser at once pointed out that from the position in which his vessel lay there was no possible danger of her causing any strain on the wharf, as the lines were quite slack, and that instead of " steaming up " lessening the strain on the wharf, the jerk back which would iuevitably result would probably lead to damage to both wharf and steamer. Nevertheless, he ordered an anchor to be fixed in front of Mr Cook's house so that in case of an accident tlie strain would be removed froni the wharf. As Wednesday wore on, the flood slowly but perceptibly rose, and towards evening the waier was running over the corner of the wharf. At 10 p.m., the time of high water, large bodies of water were running over the wharf, between the iron rails, and when an open part was reached, chopping again into the river. From this time the south east corner of the wharf began to drop. Very slowly, as hour after hour went by, the structure could be seen to give along the south side, and especially at the outermost coiner. When morning dawned, it had gone down several inches, and by eight o'clock, it was evident that a new structure instead of the old wharf was a necessity. From the point where the new and old parts join there was a gradual " slant " down to the opposite side of the latter, the dropping of which had " prized " some 10 feet of the new wharf about 2 inches above the horizontal. The railway officials had taken the precaution shortly after daylight of securing with strong chains the turntable on the wharf. Early yesterday morning, Captain Fraser noticed that as the wharf was sinking the huge "shear legs " were becoming rather dangerous to his steamer, and he therefore dropped about 50 feet further astern, where the steamer lies at present. As is usual during a flood a large quantity of driftwood gathered at the south end of the wharf, and as it backed up formed a capital wingdam, forcing the water past the corner of the wharf out into the main current of the river. On Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning various persons removed quantities of this for use as firewood, but on it being pointed out that they were destroying what was a most effectual safeguard to the wharf, Constable M'Anility stopped the removal of the debrit. of course this led to great dissatisfaction amongst those who were filling their backyards with wood, but nevertheless the constable did his duty, and stopped it. Early in the day several CATTLE CAME DOWN THE RIVER, in most cases dead, but in one or two instances alive. One cow belonging to a man named Wintersgill was saved from drowning by a boat which put off from the Jane Douglas, and was towed ashore. A second beast was seen going down stream alive, and an attempt was made to save it, but was unsuccessful. Numbers of poultry were washed down, in some instances sitting on logs, whilst several pukakas, woodhens, &c, were landed amongst the driftwood alongside the wharf, and promptly seized by onlookers. About 10 a.m. on Wednesday there was seen by the people on the bank and at the wharf, A HOUSE IN THE RIVER, and as it came rolling along, whirling round and round, the " build" of it showed that it belonged to Robert Robinson, a married man residing on the bank of the river about three miles from Foxton. Robinson is known as an industrious, thrifty man, and has a small farm of about 80 acres. His house was situated about 50 yards from the south bank [ of the river, and was a 2-roomed cottage, built as a lean-to, and roofed with iron.' The bank being rather low where his house stands, the flat surrounding it was covered with water at an early stage of the flood. Never dreaming of the loss of his house, Mr Robinson took his wife and family for safety to the residence of Mr C. Symons, who kindly offered to accommodate him until the flood subsided. Early on Wednesday morning Mr Robinson went over to his house, to see that everything was all right, and thinking that it looked dangerous, he returned to Mr Symons' to obtain assistance, in order to remove his things. He and Mr Symons were about to return to remove all the articles that could be got at, when some one said the house was gone, and sure enough on looking the building could be seen floating down the river. It was seen from the bank soon after it rounded the point opposite the Maori pa, and it was thought by some that the ferry wire would Stop it. This hope proved futile, for as it came rolling along the house struck the ferry wire

(which is an inch thick) and broke it like thread, sweeping on past the wharf and reaching an eddy opposite the Rev. Mr Duncan's house, where it stayed for several hours, whirling round, until at last it broke away and went further down stream. Veiy great sympathy is felt for Mr Robinson, who loses almost everything, including furniture, clothing, &c. He actually had to borrow boots and clothes in which to come into town iv the afternoon. He estimates his loss at £150. THE FLOOD AT MOUTOA. appeal- to have been very severe, and the settlers on low-lying parts have fared badly indeed. On Wednesday morning the culvert near Elkins* house was washed away, and all the distriot beyond was under water. In order to ascertain the condition of the settlers in that par. of the district a boat was carted out early on Wednesday morning, and a crew manned it and were pulling towards the school, when tbey met Mr Howe coming towards town iv a canoe. He assured them the settlers were all right, and that no danger was apprehended, upon hearing which the boat's crew returned, and tho boat was carted back to town. From Mr Uowe we learn that in the lower part of the district, the farmers have escaped without much damage, Messrs Carter, Smith, Howe, and others in that part being very fortunate. In otber parts there has been great damage. Mr Turiey has lost all his horses, and we also hear Air Saunders has lost all his cattle, which will be v heavy blow in each case. None of the cattle on the Mouioa estate have been lost, though a great portion of the Bto tion was under water. We must not omit to record A PLUCKY ACT, by which a couple of youngsters saved a life. Living on the opposite bank of the river to the farmhouse of Mr Howe, was a man named John Hansen, a Scandinavian, who has leased a piece of land, and was living in a tent upon it. Seeing that the flood was rising, Mr Howe's two sons — Roland and William, aged about 16 and 14 years respectively — determined to launch the canoe, and go across the river to see that Hansen was all right. They warned him of his danger, and he accordingly gathered his traps together, and got into a small canoe to cross the river. But in crossing, his canoe was sucked un* der some willows, and was seen by Mr Howe's boys to be standing on end with the nose out of the water. They accordingly went back about 20 yards, and after great effort reached Hansen, who was hanging on to some willows. Care was exercised in taking him in lest his weight should capsize the canoe, and fiually the paity landed all safe. Great credit ie due to the youths for their pluck in going to look after the safety of Hansen, and also for the manner in which they rescued him from his dangerous position. JfEAE THE TOWN, we have to record the flooding of Mr J. T. Stewart's residence, in which tbe water stood to the depth of 8 inches during the flood. On the opposite bank of the river, the roadway leading to the Maori pa has betm completely washed away, and a new roadway will have to be formed, or the road taken through in a different direction. Great loss has been caused to the Rev. Mr Duncan by the flood. He had expended a large amount in having the bank in front of his house sloped down to the river, and this gave a finished appearance to his property, and was in fact an ornament to the town. A very great poitiou of this has been washed away, the earth falling in masses, and now, instead of a handsome slope there is nothing but the bare wall of sand. LOSSES. Mr Easion, butcher, informs us that out of 280 sheep he has saved only 34, and he will consider himself fortunate if £200 covers his losses by the flood. We hoar that Mr George Hadfield has lost between 300 and 400 sheep from his run on the other side of the river. Mr Hy . Symons, of Opiki, has had heavy losses in both cattle and sheep, and we hear it is probable that losses have taken place on the run lately held by Mr Knight, and now owned by Messrs Brown and George. Other losses we have referred to in the course of this article. Including the property belonging to the Government and the settlers which has been destroyed in the immediate vicinity of Foxton, the loss will probably amount to several thousands of pounds. THE FLOOD SUBSIDING. The flood began to subside very gradually yesterday. It was about four inches lower yesterday morning than at 10 p.m. the previous night, when it was at its highest. During yesterday it dropped several more inches and as we write (Thursday evening) shows every indication of subsiding slowly but surely.