Kapua Settlement.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 186, 5 April 1902, Page 3

Kapua Settlement.

IMMENSE DAMAGE

(From a Correspondent.)

On Monday last the ILm. Major Steward, M.H.1l , paid a visit to the Kapua settlement lor tho purpose of inspecting personally tho damage done to the settlers by the late floods.

On arriving at Mr Martin’s tho view of tlio destruction done to crops and other properly was appalling* The drain on Mr Martin’s property was choked with sheaves of oats and other debris washed down by the Hood, and in consequence will take some days to clean out. In the meantime tho water is lying some feet deep over the greater portion of Mr Martin’s seeiion. That Mr Martin is the greatest sufferer there is no doubt, although all the settlers affected have Install or moat of iheir year’s labour. Following is an estimate of the loss sustained by tho undermentioned settlers; Mr Marlin. 6a acres of oats veined at £2O, hit ton*- of potatoes valued at £6O, tol?l loss £B'J. Besides this Mr Martin h.-;s suffered considerable damage to ids house and furniture, and it will take some time before the house is fit to live in. The stench arising from decaying potatoes D beyond description, audif not seen to will create a fever. My estimate of Mr Martin’s loss is £IOO at the least. Mr Hogan lost acres of oats valued at £65; Mrs Eliza Fotheringham, 5 acres of oats valued at £3O ; Mr Beard, 6 acres valued at £‘2o. Mr Board also lost all his grass. Mr Clay and several ntho s also suffered heavily. The Hon. Major Steward said the sight was a distressing one, and he advised the settlers to sign a petition, which he would draw up for them, and forward it to the Land Board, asking for a remission of rent. In the meantime he said he would wire the Hon. Minister of Lands, asking him to come down and see the results of the Hood for himself. He held out no hopo for the settlers getting the Government to go to the expense of deepening the drain so as to give settlers permanent security against future floods, although he admitted that some definite understanding should be come to between the Government and the settlers. He would do his best in the matter, and would advise that the settlers should get a permanent reduction in their rent.