A BIG FLOOD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18690, 13 May 1926, Page 8

A BIG FLOOD.

WAIMAKARIRI RISING.

DAMAGE MAY BE EXPECTED. Reports from the Waimakariri Gorge about 6 p.m. yesterday were to the effect that the river was in the highest flood for six months.

Mr T. Jeal, overseer to the Biver Trust, stated last evening that, according to the information he had received, the volume of water in the river would be equal to that during the spring floods, when serious damage to farms occurred.

He stated that he expected the river to break its banks this morning at Hassall's farm, Clarkville. At 6 p.m. the river was 4 feet above normal at the Empire bridge, and was rising steadily. At 4.30 yesterday afternoon, the Waimakariri was 7ft above normal at Bexley, and still rising. The Bailway Department said last evening that the bridgo at Kaiapoi would be inspected first thing in the morning. As it takes about twelve hours for the flood water to reach Kaiapoi, and as high water is about 5 ajn., the effect of the flood may be expected about that hour.

GREY RIVER RISING.

DAMAGE TO BRIDGES ANt) ROADS.

(SPXdili 50 "THB MOBSS.**) GRBYMOUTH, May 13,

The wretched weather which has prevailed for the past fortnight shows no prospect of clearing. For the twentyrfour hours previous to nine o'clock this morning the rainfall at Greyuouth totalled 110 points. A biting cold southerly gale, accompanied by pelting rain, has raged continuously for nearly twenty-four hours.

The Grey river, which has been heavily flooded for the past ten days, rose again to-day. Farms at Coal Creek Flat and Kaiata were partly submerged this evening, and stock is being driven on to the higher levels. The Omoto racecourse is surrounded by water, and the track in the back stretoh is completely submerged. Further washouts are reported in the' up-country districts, and this evening a bridge on the Groy-Eeefton road, near Mitchell's Mistake, was under water to a depth of a couple of feet. Mr J. Higgins (County Engineer), who visited the scene pt the washout to-day, stated that a temporary bridge has boon erected, and the road was available for traffic this evening. The footbridge at Nelson creek has also been carried away by the floods. The subsidence near Omoto is still keeping a gang constantly employed, ballasting and lifting the line, but traffic is being maintained. Biver erosion is still threatening the line near the Omoto lacecourse, but the flood waters prevent a thorough examination being made of the damage in that locality.

Communication Cut Off.

Telegraph lines are down at Dillmans, Jacksons, and Otira, and on the north line at Stillwater. Westport is also cut off from Greymouth by telegraph, owing to the interruptions. No Press messages were received to-day. Eepair gangs left Greymouth to attend to the breaks, but it was doubtful this evening whether communication would be restored.

Reports from Wostland state that there has been further damage to the northern approach of Malfroy's bridge, over the Arahura River, but the actual extent is not known.

A big slip which covered the tramline at Stratford, Blair and Company's mill at Patara has disorganised work at the mill. It is hoped to have the debris cleared at the end of this week.

Townspeople Alarmed. The flood water rose with alarming rapidity as the evening wore on, and at 10.30 the river was two feet eight inches from the level of the wharf. Business people and residents in the lower parts of the town are feverishly removing goods and furniture out of the danger zone. The Dobson power-house is reported to be flooded, water flowing. down Boundary street and the intersection of Boundary and Mackay streets is under water.

The central fivebell rang at 10.35 p.m. warning townspeople of the impending danger of tho river coming over the wharf.

There are seven steamers in port, and the propellers are being kept moving to. ease the strain on the mooring ropes. Mawhera quay is thronged and there is no scarcity of volunteers, who are assisting those whose property is affected.

The gale is moderating, but heavy showers-are falling.

HIGHLANDERS' BAND HELD UP.

WEBTPORT DISAPPOINTED,

(PHOS3 iSSOOTATIOM TSLEAIUIC.) WESTPORT, May 12. The West Coast has been having * bad time to-day. This morning, Westport was struck by a tornado which toppled over some chimneys and sheds, uprooted trees, smashed windows, and did a good deal of other minor damage. The rivers are in high flood, and connexions with Reefton and Nelson are more or less interrupted by wr shouts, landslides, and floods, the river being some three feet over the road at Hawk's Crag. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Band was due to give a concert to-night, but all efforts to find out where the band is have so far failed. It is surmised that the band is held up between Greymouth and Reefton, but as telegraphic and telephonic communication is interrupted their exact whereabouts are not known. Meantime, people have arrived in large numbers in town by excursion train and cars for the conceri. that will not be held. The are unprecedented in the history of Westport, every seat in the gallery and in the hall, right back to the foot of the gallery, being taken up ahead. Naturally the people are greatly disa* minted at the nonappearance of the band..

Young Man Drowned. Arthur Curtis, son of Mr and Mrs C. Curtis, of Newton Flat, was drowned while crossina a flooded road near his parents' residence. His horse was washed 'off its feet and drowned, and Curtis's foot was caught in a stirrop. Curtis, some time ago, was; badly burned when he went to the rescue of a brother, whose hut caught fire, the lafcicr dying from his injuries.