MASTERTON FLOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1918, Page 4

MASTERTON FLOOD.

HEAVY LOSS OF STOCK. EXCITING EXPERIENCES DURING RESCUE WORK. Masterton, May 27 Reports received to-day from outlying districts state that there has been a fairly heavy loss of stock on some farms as the result of the flood. Fences were swept away, and other damage done. Tha Masterton Park and cemetery suffered to a considerable extent, about two chains of the stop-bank at the river being swept away. Mr. Hugh Douglas is the largest individual loser in the Masterton district. The swing bridge across the Waipoua river leading to his Mahunga property, near the Masterton butter factory, was totally destroyed. The bridge, which was of considerable length, was on the swing principle, and the bridge supporting poßts had been placed at points considered to be high and dry. The pressure against the bridge must have been tremendous, and the supporting posts at last snapped like carrots, and the bridge was whirled downstream. It will cost several hundred pounds to re-erect the bridge. Many exciting experiences are recorded of women and children being rescued by the police and others from houses surrounded by flood-water. One family had to pull down part of a paling fence in order to escape from the rapidly-iisine water.