THE BLUFF INUNDATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 194, 25 January 1915, Page 5

THE BLUFF INUNDATION.

A TERRIFYING TORRENT. DAMAGE OVER £IOO,OOO. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. InvercargiU, January 23. Several people had narrow escapes, Mrs. Buller being caught and knocked about before she was rescued. The reservoir is situated at an altitude of 300 ft at the back of tfie town, and a terrifying torrent swept down the gully and flooded every house aoross a width of 200 yards. The only warning was a rumbling sound like an engine blowing off steam; then came a deluge with an awe-inspiring roar that sent people to their doors. They escaped in the nick of time as a wall of water six feet high raced through the residences. J Stalker's six-roomed house was completely wrecked. The residences of MMJean, Burtenshaw, Bullars, Bennett, Fry, and 'Hunter were seriously damaged, and their furniture ruined,' Mrs. Bullars attempted to save some valuables and was carried away by the flood, but was rescued by Trooper Waddel in a bruised condition. The water tore huge gaps 'in the north side of the cricket ground and inundated the bowling green, which 'is covered with silt* Then it passed through Hankinson's foundry and J. G. Ward and Co.'s grain stores, where it 'backed up six feet. Thence over the railway yard into the harbor. The flood continued to pour down like a sluice for hours.

The loss to occupiers is irreparable. J. G. Ward and Co. suffered most. Part of an iron store at the back was twisted right, ro_und and 1000 sacks of oats and 100 bales of gunnies were rendered practically worthless. The loss is estimated at £3OOO. At Mill and Co.'s a platform was just enough to save thousands of pounds worth of wool aud hemp. About 1000 sacks of grain and a quantity of gunnies summed up their loss. The damage, including cost of rebuilding the reservoir wall, varies between £IOO,OOO and £120,000. Fifteen (private houses were damaged, seven seriously. The bowling green will not be playable for the rest of the season. Tlic wall of the reservoir was raised sonic months ago and the soil had not set. The port is now without water for either Are or shipping pnropses.