SOUTHERN FLOODS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 71, 1 April 1913, Page 5

SOUTHERN FLOODS

EXPERIENCES AT GORE.

EVOLVING OLDER OUT OF CHAOS

(For Press Association.) Gore, March 31. The streets are again nearly clear of water, but many low-lying sections are still inundated. The condition of the interiors of houses and business establishments is indescribable. Every description of goods—counters, shop cases and broken glass mirrors aie mixed up in a ruined condition. This morning there is bright sunshine, and the street fronts are lined with goods to dry, but a large amount is only tit for the rubbish heap.

The majority of the shopkeepers worked all day yesterday, endeavouring to effect some sort of order in their houses. Furniture is littered everywhere, covered with a thick deposit of silt. People are working strenuously to clean .and dry . their dwellings, but the majority will be unable to sleep in their houses for some days. In most cases the mattresses are soaked and worthless. Many families are almost destitute. Numerous narrow escapes are recorded, but no loss of life occurred.

At Mataura the town water is temporarily cut off. Only the Catholic and Presbyterian Church services were held locally yesterday, with small attendances. At Wyndham the Minniiau banked up and Hooded Wyndham, though not so badly as at Gore. 'Hie railway line between tho town and the traffic bridge was seriously damaged. Stock and crops there were almost totally lost. Practically the whole island was under Water. There were washouts at Mataura and Brydone road.

BIGGEST DISASTER IN NEW

ZEALAND

APPEAL FOR RELIEF

A Dunedin business man who was stranded in Gore during \thp flood states that the disaster in the Gore district is the biggest that ever took place in New Zealand. He thinks the damage at Gore is under-estimated at 1:100,000. The same gentleman visited the Mataura paper mills, and states that the damage is deplorable. There is almost complete devastation. The damage at Mataura is estimated at £20,000. Not a single settler escaped scathless throughout the length of the Mataura river. Some individual farmers’ losses are authentically reported at £IOOO. The Mayor of Gore (Mr Poppelwell) has issued the following letter to the citizens: “The terrible calamity that has fallen on the town, bringing much distress to many of the poorer citizens, will surely call forth the sympathy of every resident of the town. Those who happily do not feel the dire effect of the- distress will have to make sacrifices on behalf of those who are practically homeless. A Citizens’ Committee has been appointed to inquire into and provide for all pressing cases, and I confidently appeal to the citizens to subscribe freely towards the relief of those who may be in want through the flood.” A wire has been received by Mr Anderson, M.P., from the Prime Minister, expressing his sympathy. Gangs are workng on the railways, and through connection has been established on the Kingston line, between Nokomai, Paraewa and Garston, except for a quarter of .a mile between Nokomai and Pareawa, where the passengers walked. The Switzers line is in a deplorable state. There are numerous washouts, the rails and sleepers being removed bodily. The Dome Creek bridge is reported to have been washed away. It will be fully two weeks before the service is again established on the Switzers-Riversdale line. There is a scarcity of bread in Gore, only two bakers to-day being able to bake; but the others hope to resume to-morrow. The water supply has been cut off, but it is hoped it will be restored by the end of the week. This aspect of the matter is serious, as it interferes with the sanitary service. It is not known when the electric light service in the town will be resumed. It is believed th* sewers are not seriously affected. As to provisions, many neighbouring settlers have sent sheep and other articles of food into town. The Gore milkmen have been specially conspicuous in this respect.

The Ensign published a four-page | paper late to-day, after a great struggle, with the assistance of a traction engine and a 30ft. belt on to the shafting, all the motors having been ruined by water. ’ Over a thousad messages were handed in to the local telegraph office to-day, and the staff have done great service, and deserve the greatest credit for their fine work, considering the great difficulties under which they worked and the fact that there is no adequate light. Invercargill, March 31. The floods are everywhere receding, but the damage has been very extensive iu the country districts. The weather is now fine. IN CANTERBURY. AT THE HERMITAGE. Tiinaru, March 31. Communication lias been got through to and from the Hermitage by pack-horse. 'The roatfs are being repaired, and it is expected that cars will get through to-morrow. Some tourists got down to Fairiie to-night. ON THE RANGITATA. Ashburton, March 31. At 1 p.m. to-day the Rangitata river

had fallen ten feet, and it is now almost down to its normal level. There is a lot to do, but the chances are that on Thursday morning the repairs will have been so far advanced as to allow all trains to pass slowly and safely over tho bridge. All the trains have been much delayed again to-day, and will bo again to-morrow. One effect of the flood in tho river was tho destruction of thousands of rabbits. Timaru, March 31. It is hoped that the Rangitata bridge .will be repaired and fit for use by W ednesday night. The expresses riom the North were 1$ and 2hours late to-day. ON THE WEST COAST. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. TRYING EXPERIENCES. Hokitika, March 31. r A correspondent of the West Coast Times gives a doleful account of tho flood damage in South Westland. In describing the havoc played by the Wanganui -River, which is about 50 miles • south of Hokitika, the writer says that a fine paddock, the property of Mr P. Hende, adjacent to the bridge, is now nothing but a river bed, a portion of the stream having gone right through it. Settlers found it necessary to use a boat to get the sheep off parts of the ground. Carcases of dead sheep are to be seen floating about the paddocks, while others are suspended on wire fences. As evidence of the severity of the flood the correspondent concludes by stating that settlers could not get to their paddocks and cowsheds,' and were unable to milk their cows for. twenty-four hours. . The floods were equally severe in the Kokatahi and Koiterangi districts, a portion of the road between Hokitika to these places being covered with water to a depth of from lour to six feet. Bridges and culverts have been badly damaged. It transpires that two spans of the Tero makau bridge, which is south, of Greymouth, have been washed away. They were each 80 feet in length. A portion of the bridge, almost intact, lies on the river bed, and some of it is piled upon the sea beach. The Mayor of Kumara (Mr J. A. Murdoch) communicated with tlje Grey Harbour Board authorities, who, in response to his request, sent up their rocket apparatus. By this moans a wire was thrown across tho river, and passengers, including supplies to the creamery, are in tho meantime being carried across in a cage. Telephonic communication |is cut off between Okarito (80 miles south of Hokikita) and Okura, 120 miles o further down. It is expected that the damage in these parts is Of 1 a serious nature.