FLOODS IN THE SOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 266, 2 April 1913, Page 5

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH

WOMEN LOOTERS AT GORE. HEAVY LOSS AT WAIKAIA. By Telegraph—Press Association. Gore, Tuesday. The Gore Borough Council met yesterday to consider flood matters. Several j cases of distress were reported. It was decided to open local subscription lists. Some looting was reported during Sunday, and even to-day some women were seen removing damaged goods placed on the pavement in the most barefaced manner. The water supply at the reservoir is very small, owing to the pumps being out of working order. Waikaia reports state that the loss is very heavy. Several families were reseued on horseback. Several cottages were washed bodily away and stranded miles further down. It is anticipated that it will lie at least two months be-

fore the train is able to get through between Riversdale and Waikaia. SERIOUS POSITION AT GORE. LIGHT, POWER AND WATER CUT OFF. Gore, Last Night. In some houses, the doors were burst open by the force of the flood, and clothing and bedding were washed out and lost. The streets of Gore this morning were littered with damaged goods discarded from shops, which were being taken away in ca.rts. ° There is >no definite information yet , as to when the electric light and power, which are supplied by the Mataura Falls, will be available. There will be no . water in the mains until the power is restored. This will likely affect the sanitation conditions. Efforts are now being made to convey water to private houses, but the house delivery in this manner will be only for cooking and washing purposes; and, while disinfectants are being used as far as possible, the town will soon bo insanitary unless there is water in the mains. DEVASTATION AT WATKAIA. News from Waikaia district is to the effect that severe loss and damage have been sustained everywhere in the district. Owing to the flood, families had to he rescued on horseback. Cottages S above the railway terminus were carried away bodily and stranded in pieces miles below. The railway workers' house 9 were flooded early on Friday evening, and there was difficulty in rescuing the occupants. Their belongings were ruined owing to the silt. The coal-pit owners are heavy suffeyers. At Freshford, several families had to leave their homes and take refuge in the only house above the water level. There, were heavy losses of stock lower down the valley, and great damage was done to buildings and crops. The railway line was gutted out in several places, and pear Switzers station the destruction was very heavy. The county roads and bridges suffered severely, and mining properties were seriously affected. WTNTEII FEED DESTROYED. Gore, Last Night. At Wendonside the scene of desolation is hard to describe. Fences have been washed out, and crops in stook swept away. The most serous aspect is that winter feed, turnips and grass, are covered with silt and rendered almost useless. On one farm, the entire flock of 600 sheep was swept away. EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. THE PRINCIPAL SUFFERERS. 1 Gore, Last Night. Tradesmen were busy to-day clearing away the flood debris. Much of the damaged stock was auctioned in the shop entrances. H. & J. Smith and McGruer, Taylor & Co. (both drapers) sustained damage to the amount of over £2OOO each; Lewis & Co. (drapers), £2000; MacKibbon & Co. (drapery, grocery and boots), and Thomson & Beattie (drapers), each £1.500; the Federal Hardware; Co., £1400; the Farmers' Cooperative and Wright, Stephenson & Co. (general merchandise), and Watson (bookseller), £IOOO each. i The want of water is felt, and the absence of electric light cause inconvenience. The approximate damage in three of i the principal streets is estimated at £30,000. The llooded-out residents are returning home, though it will be some time before the dwellings are restored to their former state. Clearing up operations at the Mataura Paper Mills were continued to-day. The damage to the main race is not so bad as was at first anticipated. Butchers are clearing up the freezing works, the silt is being cleared from the electric I ight machinery, and it is hoped I that power will he obtainable in two days.