THE LATE FLOODS IN OTAGO.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 85, 9 October 1878, Page 3

THE LATE FLOODS IN OTAGO.

The ‘Clutha Leader,’ published in Balclutha, has the following article in its issue ot Friday last: — We have to ask.the indulgence of our readers for the imperfections ofthe Leader this week. We are sure that under the circumstances this will readily be granted. It was only yesterday afternoon we could commence to prepare for the present issue, and we believe that, besides the Banks, this is the only establishment in Balclutha that has resumed business this week. It is impossible during the excitement of the present emergency to write calmly upon the subject, or to speak with any degree of confidence of the effect of the present disaster upon the future of town and district. Some, we know, are disposed to take the most gloomy view of matters, and will be satisfied with nothing short of utter ruin. We confess we are not of this mind. That the calamity has been a sad and serious one all must acknowledge. But there are no lives lost, and the calamity is not irretrievable. It will be got over. Many places have been as seriously damaged as the C-utha, and the loss has been speedily made up and forgotten. When the flood shall have gone, and items are reckoned up, it will be found that individual losses in the township are not so very great. Fences are broken down, gardens are destroyed, and houses and furniture, soiled, but it must be borne in mind that many in prosperous circumstances have neither fences nor gardens, nor are their houses in the best of order as regards cleanliness and comfort. We are satisfied that a few days of hard work will greatly repair the individual damage done here. As for the injury to public property, it simply requires that the people should set their face to it determinedly in a united and harmonious spirit, and all will yet go well. We have a higher idea of the energy and pluck of the inhabitants of Balclutha and the people of the Clutha generally to permit of our doubting for a moment that they will be able fully to surmount their present troubles, great as they undoubted are. We believe that even yet the resources of the district are inexhaustable. If temporary assistance be in some cases necessary, as no doubt it will, there are plenty as anxious to afford that assistance as we are to accept it. Let us be hopeful and determined to overcome difficulties, and we have no fear complete success will crown our efforts. Such is the asy ect in which the matter presents itself to our view, and we believe the same sentiment pervades the mind of the great body of the people of Clutha.