HEAVY FLOODS IN GISBORNE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8186, 18 July 1906, Page 5

HEAVY FLOODS IN GISBORNE.

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DOSE. EXCITING EXPERIENCES. RAILWAY LINE F'OR MILES UNDER WATER. GISBORNE, July 17." Heavy rain has fallen here and the rivers are in flood. The low-lying laud is under water. Three boats have been sent from Gisborne to tbe assistance of Bottlers on the flats, many of whom havo vaoated their houses. About Waerengahika 2,000 sheep were drowned, and in Makauri 1,200 others. No buman]jlives have bsen lost, but several settlers were for a time in a preoarious position. Ormond is cut off from communication by road with Gisborne. It is impossible at this time to give an accurate estimate of the damage done, but many settlers will lose heavily. The flood is over the tops uf fences for miles between Waerongahika and Makaraka.

IV!r and Mrs T. King Makauri, were rescued from tbe roof of their dwelling from which they were firing gunfl to attract attention. There was eight feet of water in their house. Some of the settlers have lost heavily of their milking stock. Horses and cattle are to be seen swimming about in all directions and drays sent to rescue them were bumping about amongst the bodies of drowned sheep. Seven or eight boats have, been sent out from town. Some of them are unsuitable for good work, their keels catching in tbe wire fences *

At Ormond, a settler named Bolanda was isolated on a small island and the settlers are making a raft to rescue him.

All the settlers whose houses were surrounded are now believed to be safe.

The train was only able to proceed three miles out to-day, tbe line for several miles being under water. There are many wash outs.

At two o'clock the water was reported to be receding slisrbtly, and as the rain ig decreasing, it is thought that the worst is over. There are forty refugees huddled in the Makauri Schoolroom, several of them being in delicate health. The condition of some ot the women and children, who had to flee from their houses in scanty attire, and in some casus to wade through water is pitiable, but everywhere they are meeting with ous hospitality and assistance. % Ibe rainfal s'nce Saturday totalled 9.17 inches.