BLENHEIM FLOODS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 131, 26 July 1911, Page 3

BLENHEIM FLOODS.

WATERS RECEDING

A SCENE. OF DESOLATION. (Per Press Association.) Blenheim, July 20. The flood waters are now receding. The town presents an extremely filtliy appearance. Water entered nearly every business place, and people are now busily engaged sweeping out mud and slush. 1 In some of the outlying Darts of the town the water attained a depth of five to six feet, and people had to he removed from their homes to higher levels*. In several places the protective hanks gave way, allowing -..h0 water to pour into the town, while in others' the flood topped the high hanks. A good number of houses and cattle perished, hut no loss of human 1 dels reported. Levin and Co.’s and the Union Co.’s premises were undermined, and -'no of the interior walls collapsed. The water is still scouring out the foundation, and the building is in danger of oo! lapsing. Shortly before 5 o’clock last evening a fire was discovered in Dalgety’s stores, hut as the lire boxes of the engine-room wore under water, the brigade was powerless. The hooks and office furniture were removed to safe ty, hut nothing else was saved, and with the exception of the strong-room, the whole building was burned to the ground. The Royal Hotel adjoining had a narrow escape. As far as can bo ascertained, the farming districts have escaped the flood. The railway service is suspended indefinitely.