James Hastie 1840-3/1/1870.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

TAIERI.

(From Our Own Correspondent). The past season has keen one of the finest ever known for the Taieri Plain, and till a week ago the highest hopes and expectations of an abundant harvest were entertained. Every kind of crop looked magnificent; and although I have traveled more than many within the Province I do not think that crops to equal those of the Taieri Plain were to be found in Otago. Our horses, cattle, and sheep were rolling in fat, for I believe there were few paddocks within the plain upon which they were able to compete with the extraordinary growth of pasture. Our farmers have struggled hard, some of them almost against hope itself, since the flood of February, 1868, but the appearance of everything of late made them almost forget that such a flood had occurred, and they joyfully anticipated the coming harvest as the harbinger of their comparative independence. We had our happy, merry, and jubilant Christmas and New Year; light, cheerful, and gay, we made merry and were glad, but the festivities had scarcely finished when the dreaded demon of the plain gave unmistakeable indications of his near approach. 

Early on Sunday morning the rain commenced to fall in torrents, and continued so throughout the day. Everyone knew the result — a flood; and before evening had set in the worst fears were verified. About mid-afternoon ihe river began to overflow its  banks, and, as two years ago, made its way through the township of Outram. Three families who were left without means of escape were rescued from a watery grave by the police boat. Some other ten families had also to abandon their houses and property to the fury of the advancing waters. While, however, property was destroyed, let us be thankful that lives were saved. The water having thus found an outlet from the surcharged channel, gradually expended itself to the west over the plain. Fields, crops, fences, &c, gradually disappeared until almost the whole expanse presented the appearance of an inland lake interspersed here and there with a few houses, stacks, &c, above water. As the water extended over the plain the greatest exertions were necessary in order to transfer cattle, horses, sheep, &c, to the highest ridges, and in many cases this was performed with great difficulty and at imminent risk of life. But I am glad to say that in most cases these efforts were successful, as with the exception of sheep I have not as yet heard of there having been much loss of stock. Throughout the plain, roads have been broken and in some places carried away; landslips have occurred; bridges have been bent and twisted and other serious damage sustained. The west approach to the Taieri Bridge is also gone, and for the present all traffic is suspended. The old punt is carried down the river and is unfit for service, and should the Government on this occasion manifest the same inactivity in effecting repairs as on last occasion the hundreds of bales of wool now waiting a passage across, will only be in time for the London Sales of 1871. At the east end of the plain the same scenes were being enacted as I have described towards the west. Now the waters have abated and farmers and others are beginning to look about and realize their position, and regarding that of some of them the last said, unless in the way of kindly sympathy, the better. Who can look upon the plain of to-day without feeling sad and depressed? Crops of wheat, oats, barley &c, are levelled to the ground and covered with debris, potatoes are rotted and rendered completely useless, turnips and other crops are also ruined. I might particularise individual losses but forbear. 

The most melancholy occurrence in connection with the flood here is the death of the son of Mr Alexander Hastie, farmer, and who had been residing in Dunedin. The circumstances of the death are peculiarly similar to that of poor Thomas Grant who perished in the last flood. Both were absent from home — both were anxious personally to ascertain as to the safety of their parents and to render whatever assistance might be necessary — both risked their own lives for this object, and both perished in their laudable and filial attempts. James Hastie fearing a flood in the Taieri left Dunedin by the Coach on Monday for home. He reached the bridge and, it being impassable, he was put across in a small boat and his safest course homeward was pointed out, but was advised not to venture. His anxiety for his relations impelled him onwards; he proceeded on foot and on Wednesday his body was found lying in lagoon on Mr James Shand's paddock about three quarters of a mile from where he parted with the Ferryman During the flood there must have been about ten feet of water filling the lagoon and although the exact manner of his death will never be known, it is supposed that he was carried into the lagoon by the force of the current, and from which he had been unable to extricate himself. Mr Hastie was 30 years of age and unmarried.  -Bruce Herald, 12/1/1870.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.