DESOLATION OF SEDDONVILLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 708, 6 July 1929, Page 5

DESOLATION OF SEDDONVILLE

Mud and Slush Covers Town

RESIDENTS’ PITIFUL PLIGHT (Special to THE SUN j WESTPORT, Friday. MUD, slush and desolation covers Seddonville, following the Hooding of the town by the Mokihinui River which on Thursday afternoon broke through the slips brought down by the earthquake. The river started to rise about 2 o’clock, and in three hours’ time the swirling waters, laden with debris and huge trees, had inundated all but a few houses. Given brief warning residents were able to move to higher levels, many having no time to bring even necessary belongings with them. There lias been no loss of life, but the plight of the people with desolated homes is pitiable. The postmaster reports that a roll shows that no one is missing.

It was not until about 4.30 that people thought of moving out, with the result that the whole towu had to be evaluated as quickly as possible, leaving all their household belongings behind them. They did not even have sufficient time to collect food. Some seized upon a few' blankets iri which they spent the night on high land at the back of the settlement. SEVEN DRY HOUSES * Of the whole township only seven houses escaped flood water. They were those of Messrs. Tait. Philp, Beilbv, Moloney, Cornwall, Bennett and Lowther. These people rendered valuable assistance by housing women and children. lii all these houses children slept in rugs and on mattresses all over the floors, and women sat round fires endeavouring to keep warm. Most of the men did not sleep last night, but spoilt the time in the township doing what little they could to help things along. Considerable anxiety was felt for Mr. and Mrs. Coleman, two elderly people who refused to leave their house. When the flood started to rise rapidly Mrs. Coleman climbed up on to the roof and Mr. Coleman climbed up on a ladder. The flood waters rose dangerously near the top of the house, and those watching were afraid the building would be carried away. At the instance of Mr. O’Brien a raft was made, but it was found impossible to pilot this across the fast-running water. Fortunately the flood waters receded before the roof of the house was reached, and as the water receded the old people came down. As soon as it was possible people went to their assistance, but the old couple refused to leave their home and remained among the slush and mud until the morning. They must have spent a terrible night. HALL LIFTED BODILY When the river began to rise rapidly several people made for Ni.ven’s Hotel and congregated in the top storey. They spent many anxious minutes as the water rose steadily, and at one stage it looked as though the water might invade the top storey. However, the highest level was about two or three feet from the top floor. During the height of the flood the fears of those in the hotel w’ere amplified when they saw the public hall lifted bodily and carried across the road for four or five chains. It came to rest at the back of Mr. Wimsett’s store. This store presented a • miserable spectacle when the waters receded. The water had reached to the roof and all the stock was ruined. There was hardly a thing that could be salvaged. The owner is a very heavy loser. The earthquake seriously damaged his stocks, but he had replenished them, hoping to make a fresh start. Other storekeepers in the town are in the same plight. TREES AGAINST BUILDINGS The various houses in the township presented a heart-breaking scene. All floor coverings, bedding and other perishable goods were ruined by mud and water and the furniture was tossed

in heaps in the corners of the rooms, j Huge trees brought down by the flood had lodged against sides of buildings and in some cases -have moved houses off their piles. In the direct line of the flood houses were completely submerged and fences broken. A good deal of slock in the valley has been lost. The flood was greatly intensified by the fact that an island in the gorge banked up the -water nearly as far as the school. It was most fortunate the blockage did not occur there, otherwise the whole of Seddonville would have been completely under water. The main slip where the river came awa.y was at Tait’s farm, about 10 miles up. This caused the other four big dams in the river to give way. causing a sudden rush of water at about 4.30 p.m. at Seddonville. DIFFICULT RELIEF WORK The water broke through near Dawson’s and came round the back of the. railway station. With the water taking this course there would have been serious loss of life if the flood had occurred during the night. As it was where the main volume of water came down the people had only a few minutes in which to make for the high country. Immediately the news reached Westport that Seddonville was flooded a relief train was dispatched, but it could not get past Mokihinui, owing to wash-outs. A number of cars went out from town to render assistance, but it was found the road was impassable past Scott's. Those in the cars got out and walked down the railway line, some going through the tunnel, and others over the hill. After seeing what had occurred an effort was made to get cars through. There was four feet of water in Kynnersley’s hotel at the point, but the damage was not great, as most of the furniture was removed after the earthquake. The water was up to the window's of Mr. Hindman’s house, but others escaped fairly well. Several Westport people waded through to Seddonville w'here it w'as found that the women and children were safely housed in buildings above flood level. Fortunately, although it was very cold, the night was fine. Another relief train left for Seddonville yesterday, taking with it food and other necessities. The Mayor, Mr. J. H. Harkness, several members of the Borough Council, and members of the relief committee also made the trip.