The Flood.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3700, 19 July 1906, Page 3

The Flood.

CONCERNING OUR DISI A V-tv l . Word was received in town definitely on Tuesday that a flood could be expected, and accordingly millers and residents on the low lying outskirts of the Borough prepared for the worst. Millers shifted everything possible in the flax line to places of safety, while round Moutoa and the Wirokino road residents-busied themselves removing furniture and household belongings to more suitable climes. As a result of these preparations, we have not heard of any material damage occurring, though of course traffic has necessarily been interfered with on both the Shannon and Levin coach routes, boats having to be used for certain parts of the journey. Advice received- from Feilding, Woodville, Oroua Bridge and elsewhere is to the effect, that therivers are all steadily falling, and the worst is apparently over. When the afternoon train went through to Palmerston’ North on Tuesday, there was much water on the line, and, steadily rising, this flood water caused wash-outs on the line from Oroua Bridge to Kerere—so seve.re that the down train from Palmerston that evening was prevented from passing through. The train had to return to Palmerston and we have had no railroad traffic since. Advice received by the local station-master (Mr Rodie) is to the effect that the water on the line is lessening, but some wash-outs will have to be repaired when they can be got at, and until these are repaired we need expect no trains. No trains are expected to-day. Mails are being conveyed round Shannon way. IN OTHER PARTS, Gisborne, July 17. The heavy easterly gale and rain continues. The Waipawa river overflowed its banks last night, and the Poverty Bay flats are inundated with one of the heaviest floods ever known. The lands at Waereuga-a-hika and Makauri are ten feet under water. RESCUING THE SETTLERS IN BOATS. THOUSANDS OF SHEEP DROWNED. Three boats have been sent from Gisborne to the assistance of the settlers on the flats, many of whom have vacated their houses. About Waerenga-a-hika 2000 sheep were drowned and in Makuri 1200 others. No human lives have been lost, but several settlers were for a time in a precarious position. Ormond is cut off from communication by road with Gisborne, the river having broken through there, and it is now running like a mill race towards Gisborne. The bridge across the river at Taruheru, at Nelson Bros.’ works, was swept away with a sand-pump dredger attached to it, and crashed through the footbridge at Carnar-von-street. Fortunately it was here suspended or otherwise, it would assuredly have done damage to the other town bridges. It is impossible at this time to give an accurate estimate of the damage done, but many settlers will lose heavily. Napier, July 17., ' Exceptionally heavy rain has fallen throughout the district since Saturday night, but fortunately the ground was in very dry condition, and readily absorbed the surface water. Reports from Tarawera, on the Tanpo road, state that the most severe snow storm ever experienced there occurred on Saturday and Sunday. The depth on the main road varies from two to seven feet.