The Rangitikei Flood.

Manawatu Herald, 1 June 1897, Page 2

The Rangitikei Flood.

Utiku^a Maori chief at Parawanui, says thatrsuch a flood as the last one occurred in the Rangitikei river on the same day as the Wairau massacre. That is fifty-four years ago. On the other hand, Mr David Scott, who is one of the oldest settlers in the Lower Rangitikei, and his father was probably the first, has neither experienced Or^aard of such a high flood. Oaptian burner, Government Engineer, judging by the age of some trees which were uprooted, and their position on the bank of the river, is of opinion that no such flood could have occurred during the past 100 years. A point whioh seems to support this theory is that several little lakes and swamp 3on Mr McEelvie's Flock House estate were silted up during the last flood, though it might be pointed out jihat no previous flood

would be likely to carry as much silt as the last. In any case there is no reason to supose that such a calamity is not likely to take place again in the immediate future, or that the value of the farm 9 should be deoreased thereby, more than by an earthquake, cyclone, or other outrage of nature to which all the world is liable to in one form or another. Fortunately the silt left on the land by the flood is just that quality the >' might be wished for, and will tie* the means of increasing the fertility of the land in the tatuw.— -Advocate.