THE FLOODS IN GORE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 79, 10 April 1913, Page 6

THE FLOODS IN GORE.

_o "AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT." [Per Press Association.] Gore, April 10. A public meeting was held last night to consider the question of outside financial assistance, and was largely attended. ,A number of acme cases of distress were reported, ,<.id the action of the Borough Council m not applying for outside aid was severely criticised in some quarters. The urgent necessity for funds was pointed out, and it was resolved—"that while expressing confidence in the Relief Committee, the meeting considers there had been a grave error of judgment in refusing offers of outside assistance."

It is unlikely .that the electric power and light will be restored this week.

STARTLING EXPERIENCES

On account of the sudden approach of the flood in Gore and to the belief that inundation was ( not to be feared, it was not until pretty late that the danger to those living in the low-tying areas was fully realised. As a result some narrow escapes and some unenviable experiences have been related (says the Southland News). Dr. G. J. Greshamy who resides with his Wife and family at Jacobstown, was amongst the most unfortunate. He was first awakened at dawn of day by a next-door neighbour, who informed him of the approach of the rising waters, which were by this time trick-

ling past his front door. No time was lost in preparing for escape, but within a very short period the water rose to a height of two feet in the kitchen. 'As it would have been dangerous to venture out, Dr. Greßham accepted the only means of escape through a manhole' in the ceiling, eventually cutting his way through to the open air with an adze. With some difficulty the remainder of the family were brought through and placed on the roof, and there remained till about ten o'clock, when a rescue party hove in sight with a boat. Three of the older children were lowered over the edge of the roof by a rope into the dinghy and conveyed to dry land, but Mrs Gresharn, not being prepared to go through such an adventurous undertaking, stayed behind with her husband and little child on the roof until about six o'clock in the evening, when, after a clay of anxiety, the party returned through the aperture in the roof, and Mrs Gresharn and her little daughter xvere conveyed to dry land on horseback. * During the day the marooned party were supplied with food by •boat. Many other similar incidents occurred. In the Southland Club' Hotel, where the water rose to a height of close on 4ft, over 00 persons were marooned on the second story, their principal diet being wine biscuits.