The Floods.

Manawatu Herald, 27 June 1896, Page 2

The Floods.

« As recorded in our last issue the Manawatu River was almost bank high at Moutoa when we published, and in the evening it ro3e and swept over th 9 road tho Foxton side of Mr Edwards' house into the Motoa Estate. During yesterday the river bank at the Kari Kari drain outlet broke and the water flowed quickly in, putting the road, alongside the drain, three feet under water. The Oroua and Manawatu Rivers overflowed their banks at the Oroua River aod the Government train yesterday morning when it arrived there had to return. Some of the flaxmill hands at the Oroua had some interesting experiences, Mr Martin having to wad 9 out waist deep to the train. Were it not for our coach services we should have been left out in the cold, but both Messra Stansell and Keith pushed through, being but a very little behind time. The settlers all had good notice, and were busy on Thursday afternoon and yesterday removing their stock from the low-lying land. Reports from the Napier country districts show that much of the lowlying land has been completely submerged by flood waters. The Ngaruroro River broke its banks near Kifcto's, and Bft of water lie 3 on the Omaha road, the topd of fences being jusfc visible in places. The river at Tomoana i 3 in a severe state of fl )od, and was never so high at thafc part before. The road to Papakura is quite submerged, and all the country to the west is a vast shining lake, dotted about with the tops of trees. The railway bridge there is surrounded ' by floating timber.

At Whakatu Bridge the river is nearly bank high. No large losses of stock are, however, reported so far, as the rivers rose slowly, and the settlers had time to remove their stock to higher ground. Part of the line near Waipawa is washed away. Thursday's evening train lefr, Palmerston for Woodville as usual, but was unable to get through the Gorge *• -r-owing to the heavy flood in the Pohangina River, which scoured away the approaohss to the bridge. This morning the railway authorities ran no train. The water on the Motoa swamp rose very much during the night. It appears as though part of the embankment on the Messrs Strang's property had carried away. Mr Stansell piloted his coach through all right and got to Foxton at 12.45 p.m. Mr Stansell informs us that the flood is over the Railway Company's land, and doubt was expressed if the up train would get through to Palmerston. The flood i 3 still rising and is deep over the road to the Wirokino ferry. Mr Keith, with the Shannon mail, got in at 2 o'clock. He informs us that he crossed the ferry all safe, but when by Mr Edwards' house the road had washed away and his leader plunged into a hole out of sight. After considerable work he got out, but could not bring the coach on, and so obtained the loan of Messrs Strang's dray. He, on the authority of the Shannou ferryman, confirms the news that the flood is still rising. Mr Keith also says the riv«r is pouring over the embankments everywhere along the road. He hears, however, all the stock is safe.