Terrible Floods at Napier.
BOATS TO THE RESCUE.
TWO RESCUE PARTIES MISSING
GREAT DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
Napier, April 18. The most disastrous floods ever experienced in Hawke's Bay, both as regards loss of life and of property, occurred on Friday.
On Thursday and Friday morning eleven inches of rain fell. The low lying lands subject to floods were quickly under water, and at the request of the settlers boats were sent out.
The rain cleared off in the afternoon, and everybody thought the worst was over, but just after dark the great embankment at Redcliffe burst, and the Tutaekuri poured its waters over Taradale to Napier.
Almost simultaneously the Ngarurore, backed up by a heavy sea, broke through the railway embankment at Waitani, and poured into at lagoon, joining the waters of the Tutaekuri. The result was that in a few minutes the flood rose from five to six feet, covering ground never flooded before.
There was quite a panic in the lower parts of Napier, where nearly all the houses were quickly flooded to a depth of six feet.
The roads became impassable, the crown being covered by three to four feet of water, running like a mill race.
All the available boats which had not gone to Clive were requisitioned to save people, and though there were many narrow escapes there was no loss of life.
There was a similar experience at Clive and Taradale, where the boats saved all the settlers.
As far as is known no country settlers perished, but two of the rescuing boats, with crews, are missing, and there is now no hope of them.
They must have been capsized in the whirling currents or swept to sea.
The names are: — Sergt. O'Donovan and Constable Stephenson of the police force, A. McCartney (leasee of the Albion Hotel), Rose (commercial traveller), Fred Cassin, John Prebble, O'Brien, O'Reilly, Ansell, and Chambers. Nearly all have large families. As yet communication cannot be had beyond the Clive-Taradale Road and the railway bridges, the telegraph and telephone wires all being down, but so far as could be seen from the Napier hills the whole of the Ahuriri Plains were under water. All the stock must have perished over a large area, and many settlers are completely ruined. One house and its contents were swept to sea. The inmates just escaped with their lives. -Thames Advertiser, 19/4/1897.
SOME OF THE DROWNED.
Sergeant O'Donovan, who was drowned in the flood, was a native of Ireland, and was at one time stationed in Wellington, where he was recognised by his superior as one of the most efficient members of the force. He was well-educated, intelligent, and painstaking, and, while discharging his duties in an impartial manner, he made hosts of friends. After leaving Wellington, he was stationed at Havelock, Marlborough, where he acted as Clerk of the Court, and subsequently he was placed in charge of the Waipawa Police Station. About 18 months ago he was transferred to Napier. He was insured in the Government Life Insurance Department for £200.
Constable Alfred Stephenson was born at Whangaroa, north of Auckland, 33 years ago, and passed his boyhood on the Thames goldfields. He was a member of tha Armed Constabulary for some years, and afterwards entered the Permanent Artillery in Wellington. About eight years ago was transferred to the Police Force at his own request, and after doing duty in Wellington for a few mouths he was removed to Napier, where he has been stationed ever since. He leaves a wife and four children. The deceased, who was a brother to Chas. Stephenson, the well-known sculler (now in England), was a young man of very genial diaposition, and was held in high esteem by his superior officers. He was insured for £100.
Herbert George Oborn was a native of Timaru, where his parents reside. He was 23 years of age. He was a member of the Napier Rifles, and took an active interest in promoting the welfare of his corps. He was also an active member of the Union Rowing Club. During the short time he lived in Napier Mr Oborn by his obliging and cheerful disposition formed a large circle of friends. -Daily Telegraph, 22/4/1897.
THE APPEAL FOR AID.
Napier, April 20.
A man named James Double is missing from Omahu. It is reported that three men have been drowned at Ohiti.
There is no trace of the missing men. Search parties are out on Mohaka Beach.
Reports from the country only confirm the worst estimates of the damage done. Sheep and cattle are being carted by the thousands to the Tomoana Freezing Works, where, after the skins and fat have been removed, the carcases are consumed in the furnaces.
The set of the wind and tide has carried much debris over to the Wairoa beach. Among other things picked up are portions of a boat and two oars, which, from a description furnished by the police, Mr Hutchinson, the owner, identifies as belonging to the boat in which Sergeant Donovan, Constable Stephenson, Prebble, O'Born, and Chambers left. -Otago Witness, 22/4/1897.
DEATHS.
Oborn — By drowning in floods at Hawke's Bay, on April 16th, Good Friday, Herbert George, second and beloved son of G. A. and F. Oborn, Elizabeth street, Timaru; aged 25 years. Deeply regretted. -Timaru Herald, 24/4/1897.
The Napier Rifle Volunteers and Garrison Band paraded last night, when there was a fair attendance, considering the circumstances. Colonel Newall inspected the corps, and the respective officers and non-coms. were called out in turn to drill the company. The inspecting officer, in addressing the men, explained the reasons why the usual Easter encampment was abandoned this year. He expressed his regret at the company's loss of two prominent non-oommissioned officers — Sergeant Compton and Corporal Oborn. Captain Chicken and the other officers very feelingly dwelt on the admirable qualities of tbe late Corporal Oborn, one of the ill-fated recue parties at the flood calamity, and of the late Captain McCartney, who had rendered yeoman's service in the Volunteer cause for many years in this district. Votes of condolence were passed to the widow and relatives of the deceased comrades. Marksmen's badges were handed to those qualified for the year. The District Medal will be shot for by the marksmen tomorrow morning and afternoon, if the damage to the butts, caused by the late flood, can be repaired in time. -Daily Telegraph, 27/4/1897.
At a committee meeting of the Union Rowing Club held at the Criterion Hotel last night it was decided to send a letter of condolence to the parents (at Timaru) of the late Mr Oborn, who was an esteemed member of the club. -Hawke's Bay Herald, 28/4/1897.
IN MEMORIAM.
In loving memory of Arthur McCartney, John Rose, Frederick Cassin, John Prebble, Herbert George Oborn, Alfred Stevenson, Florence O'Donovan, Harry Brierly, George Chambers, and Frederiok Ansell, who died April 16th, 1897 while endeavoring to render assistance to others.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend." — Inserted by A.B E. -Daily Telegraph, 16/4/1898.
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