FLOODS IN THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4223, 2 October 1874, Page 3

FLOODS IN THE WAIRARAPA.

The delayed Wairarapa mails having been brought to town last night, we have particulars of the late severe floods experienced there. Wo take the following account from the Standard of the 30th ultimo ; AT GBEYTOWN. Grey town has been visited by the heaviest flood that for many years past has been experienced. On Sundvy morning last the river began rising at the northern end of the township, and by midday the road in that part was under water. Towards one o'clock the overflow began to force itself to the other end of the township, and in a very short space of time, streams were crossing the road in several points between the Rising Sun and the centre of the township. Till about four o clock in the afternoon, the water rose gradually and Greytown, from one end to the other, was more or less under water. In all parts of the township houses which were not built on high piles were invaded, —in some to a depth of two or three feet. A NARROW ESCAPE. Mr. Kimberley, of Masterton, had a very narrow escape. Between one and two o clock he was riding into , Greytown, and had passed safely through the more dangerous ■ parts of the road, when several bystanders on the verandah of a house shouted and beckoned to warn him just as he arrived opposite Miss Wyett’s residence. He at , the time saw no danger in front of him, hut fancyinn- from the signs made to him that there was a danger ahead which w-as not visible to him, he turned his horse’s head, and the animal, apparently confused with the mass of water towards which he was turned, commenced plunging and got out of his depth. Mr. Kimberley, with great presence of mind, took his feet out of the stirrups, and, watching his ‘ opportunity, left his horse, to cling to a poplartree by the side of the road. Mr. Darrich then came to his assistance, and threw a rope out to him, blit Mr. Kimberley was unable to catch it without losing his hold of the tree. Binding that he could not, on account of the current, continue in the position he was, he deft the tree and let the current carry him far- ' ther on to a post, which he fortunately suoceded in catching. Here he was able to get hold of . the rope, which Mr. Darrich again threw-, and tied it round his body, when he was pulled out of the water in a very exhausted condition, and taken into Mr. Martin Greathead’s house, where he received every attention and kindness both from Mr. Greathead and Mr. Dan-ioh. Mr. Kimberley, the following day, was none the worse for his misadventures, and requested us to express the feeling of gratitude he felt towards Messrs. Darrich and Greathead for the assistance and kindness, they displayed towards him. A SCENE. When the water was at its height, a local settler was found to be disporting himself in it in a somewhat dangerous manner, under the influence of that fell disease which is know-n as the “ horrors.” Constable Bym had to travel through the water to him, and with the assistance of one or two settlers succeeded in removing him to the lock-up. ANOTHER ESCAPE. A cottage belonging to Mr. H. Udy, occupied by Mr. O’Meara and family, was in considerable danger, the stream rushing near it and cutting away the soil in its vicinity in a very alarming manner. The outbuildings near it were swept away, and close to the house itself was a fall of several feet, down which the main body of the water thundered. Early on Monday morning, .Mr. Campbell and some others took a brake over to the, house, and removed its inmates and all the furniture. The former had been all night in a great state of alarm. Unfortunately they were in a measure unprotected, Mr. O’Meara being away in Wellington, and the surrounding -waters cut off all communication with other houses. LOWER VALLEY. Two small bridges beyond the Ruamahunga have been washed away, together with a considerable amount of fencing throughout the district. A large number of sheep and cattle have been lost, but even an approximate estimate of the number cannot at present be ascertained. thb flood at masterton. Masterton has not escaped this time. Yesterday morning the coach did not leave, the roads being impassable. The flood there is pronounced to he the highest known for seventeen years. We • regret to say that the Ruamahunga bridge at Te Ore Ore is very materially damaged, and as it is still in the hands of Mr. Francis, the contractor, the loss will probably fall on him. The township itself was flooded by the Waipona, There is a. great loss of sheep and cattle, and miles of fencing are destroyed. AFTER THE FLOOD. On Monday morning Greytown presented a strange appearance; the fine gravel had been washed off the main street, leaving the stones underneath exposed, and ditches were filled with logs, fencing, and debris, and here and there, all up the street, large gaps showed where fences had been swept away, and in other places where they were of a more substantial character, they were leaning about at different angles. THE MAILS. Monday’s and Tuesday’s Masterton mail did not, till this morning, reach Greytown, the northern entrance to Greytown being impassable. Abbott’s Creek prevented the Wellington coach from crossing on Monday evening, but the mails were forwarded on horseback. MR. O’MEARA’S HOUSE. Yesterday morning it was found that this house, from which, as before mentioned, the family and furniture were removed on Monday morning, was completely washed away. THE WELLINGTON MAIL LOST AND RECOVERED. Abbott’s Creek being impassable for the Wellington coach, an attempt was made to carry the mail across it in a trap. We regret to learn that the man driving the trap was .nearly drowned, and all the mails lost. A search party has been sent with a view to recover the mails, and just as we were going to press we are glad to learn that it has been successful. MASTERTON COACH. This morning the Masterton coach attempted to get into Greytown, but as one culvert was completely gone, and the road washed partly away, it had to turn baok._ The passengers waded through the intervening water into the township. GOING DOWN. This morning, though the rain continues, the flood appears to be going down. Dr. Smith was able to get out of his house for the first time. Wo understand that the rumor that large quantities of cattle have been drowned in the Lower Valley is exaggerated. It will be impossible for a day or two yet to ascertain accurately the truth of many reports which are floating about.