Untitled

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1948, Page 5

DUNEDIN, Nov. 3. A battle f amiliar to residents of the Lower Cluth'a, reached its tnming poin't shortly after nightfall this evening I when hundreds of tired WorkerS -found that their' efforts to Stem the flood waters of the Clutha Rivet, had been at least in part in vam. It Was "not ,an unexpected victory for the river. Hours before the fmal message was given that the river was out of control at thej upper end of Inchclutha Island, it was . realised that without some minor miracle, the river would exeeed its 1946 flood levels and top the snbsequently raised and strengthened stopbanks. All through yesterday and today, with no pause during the night, Vehicles and men recmited from the whole area, worked frantically to clear obstructions, Shore up weakftesse'S and bring stock to safety. Early warnings and perfect weather gaye ihe settlers ample time -in which to bring their stock to safety and it is not thonght that Losses will be high. Most business premises closed in Balclutha throughout the day and business was slaek as traders and eustomers . alike joined the ^vOlunteers on the threatened area. Amatetirs and army personnel from Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill maintained' an ■ extensive network of mobile and static radio communieations which Was of incalculable assistanCe in movirtg men and Sup' plies to places where they jvere mos.t needed. Although a change of wind ended the rain in Central Otago yesterday, the peak of the floodwaters was not reached at Balclutha uittil by nightfall it was lapping the 73 feet mark and flattening out to sustain the peak. Wi'h the virtiial abandonment of work on the Inchclutha area, additional forces were brought into action in the Paretai and other areas where it is still possible to¥control the; flood. There Was an anxious night ahead of the workers and it would be days4 before Vigilance could be relaxed for the stopbanks, weakened by the preSsure of water and seepage, lose some of their effieiency during the gradual recesssion.