THE BLENHEIM FLOODS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3280, 27 July 1911, Page 2

THE BLENHEIM FLOODS.

A SERIOUS POSITION. WATER OVERCROP COUNTERS. RAILWAY TRAFFIC INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED. IPEB PBEBB ASSOCIATION..] NELSON, July 26. News which has filtered through from Blenheim shows that the position, in consequence of the floods, is very serious. Many people have vacated their homes, and the damage reported is heavy. A train carrying forty'school children was derailed at Para on Monday night. The passengers were compelled to remain in the train all night. Food and blankets were procured for the children. The distribution of food supplies is at a standstill, causing great inconvenience. It is still raining heavily. In many shops the water is above the counters, and the embankment has broken down in many places. Later.—The flood waters are now receding. The town presents an extremely filthy appearance. The water entered nearly every business place, and the people are now busily engaged in sweeping out the mud and slush. In some outlying parts of the town the flood attained a depth of from oft to 6ft, and people had to be removed from their homes to higher levels. In several places the protective banks gave way, allowing the water to pour into the town, while in other places the flood waters went over the top of the banks. A good number of horses and cattle perished, but no loss of life is reported. Levin and Co.’s and the Union Co.’s premises were undermined, and one of the interior walls collapsed. The water is still scouring out the foundations, and the. building is in danger of collapsing. As far as can be ascertained, the farming districts have escaped the flood. The railway service has been suspended indefinitely-