The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-03-25
THE FLOODS.
All Danger Practically over-A Re-
lief Fund Initiated.

town yesterday afternoon.
The unusual heavy rainfall swell
ed the rivers and streams, causing
great damage to private property
and to roads and bridges, besides
causing the loss Of one life--a poor
Japanese, who was drowned in the
Nuuanu river in spite of the heroic
efforts Of ayoung sailor of the bark
r. P, Rithet, named VIM. Wells, to
save the unfortunate man.
Several thousands of people flock
cd to the scene of the food in spite
Of the heavy rain which fell in tor
rents. The general opinion among
practical men is that the blame for
the damage done by the flood falls
on the officials, who have construct
ed the new bed for the Nuuanu
river and the too narrow viaduct at
the new Vineyard Street.
1t was an interesting sight to
watch the raging Of the waters in
their mad course towards the sea-
The swollen streams and bitches
presented an UNUSUAL spectacle and
changed the environments in strik-
ing manner.
Many poor people lost their little
personal property, and many houses
along the Nuuanu river and in the
Makiki District were flooded and in
iured.
The new bridge across the river
leading from Beretania Street to st.
Louis College was damaged by a
scow drifting against it with great
force and breaking one of the big
supporting beams.
In Waikiki the bridge near Long
Branch was damaged to such an ex-
tent, as to make it unsafe for traffic,
although. comparatively little rain
fell at Waikiki.
Boats were carted by drays to
Nuuanu river and manned with men
who did good work in saving lives
and property from the submerged
houses.
The drays were placed at the dis
posal OF the Marshal by Mr.. w. Fl
Hogs without any charge made
and the boats were obtained from
vessels in port and from the boat
boys.
Many citizens helped the authori
ties in the work Of rescue, and it il
to be hoped they will not suffer
from the drenching which they re
ceived.
We wish to make special mention
Of one fellow citizen who showed
his good practical sense besides hi
well-known generosity. The mar
is Mr.. @. S. Desky, who at his owr
expense furnished dry clothing to ,
largo number of Hawaiian womer
who were soaked to the skin anc
had lost all their little possessions
1t is a pleasure to notice such ar
instance of practical charity and w
hope that the worthy example O.
Mr.Desky will be followed by others
Considerable loss to the poor PEG
pie has been sustained, and it vii
be extremely proper for the philan
tropists, who, a short while ag'
wanted the community to senC
money to Cuba and Armenia, to TAX
up subscriptions for those who suf
fered by the flood.
The legislature can with grea
propriety appropriate suitabl,
amount OF money for the relief o
, the sufferers.
, To-day the rain is over and tn
, river and the streams have settle
down to their ordinary business
| The damage done to the publ
works is being repaired, and if tn
| weather keeps, as it is at present, ther
{ will be no visible signs in fey
s days of the great food Of 1893.
{ (Since the above was written W
!, learn the following amounts hav
/ been donated for the relief of sui
/ ferers: S. M. Damon, 500; l. l.
N. Co., 500; F, A, Schaefer, $5(
o The amount were sent to Marsha
{ Brown, who has paid it over to Mr.
S. @. Allen, President of the Hawai-
n