INCH CLUTHA

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 222, 11 October 1878, Page 5

INCH CLUTHA

A small portion of the stock has been boated off the Island. Most of the balance are in a critical state. Saved from drowning, they are now threatened with death in another form — viz., starvation. Food is, however, being conveyed to them so far as this can be accomplished, but their future depends entirely upon the state of the river. Yesterday forenoon a current was running from off the Island into the river at several of the breaches in the banks, but as the river again rose during the afternoon the current would of course again turn landward. A has been formed across the neck of " the balloon " so that Smaill's and Darling's properties are now a separate Island. The other breaks are — one below Mosley's; another at the site of the school ; another below Mr Willocks' house where two paddocks have almost been washed away; also one at the top of the Island, the water running by the back of Mr Willocks' bush and down the centre road till it joins the other new channel below Mr Willocks' house. The new Church is still in a very dangerous position. The whole of the road line and about half a chain of the Church ground has been washed away and although trees were cut down and so placed as to impede the encroachment this is only a temporary expedient, (and not over secure. Another flood might prove a serious matter for the building. The water has continued very much to cover the Island with the exception of the lower portion. The breaking of the sandspit suddenly let off the water from this part and so long as the new channel continues open it will be of great benefit to the bpttom of the Island in time of floods. Much speculation exists as to whether this new outlet of the river to the ocean is likely to be a permanent one, but of course it is impossible to tell in the meantime. It is about eight chains wide and to all appearance would prove a great improvement upon the old entrance to the ocean. It has also been said that a portion of the water in the Koua branch flows along the bottom of the Island to this channel, but this is very doubtful. TLis branch, however, has also formed another new opening to the ocean across the sandspit above Port Molynexix. It is just possible that after the .flood shall have subsided' the river will gradually resume its old course. As to the damage on the upper part of, the Island, a strong opinion prevails that this has very much been caused by the effect of the railway, embankment at the bridge obstructing the water from its wonted places of escape and concentrating the force of current at the bridge. This fox'ced a greater body and current of water upon one part at the top of the Tsland, which caused the bank to give way, thus doing an immense amount of damage. This seems the natural result of the obstruction and, if correct, should much strengthen a claim upon the Government for assistance to repair the injury done. The low lying portion of the township of KAITANGATA has also sustained very severe^ and we fear permanent injury. Between the corner of the Gask estate and the Government town-ship the road line has been completely washed away, and a considerable portion of the gardens in front of the houses. Between the points named there are no fewer than live large water-covrses formed through the bank into the river, and some of the houses that yet remain are upon the balance, sometimes leaning \ to one side and sometimes to the other. A strong current of back water is flowing from the lakes, and its entrance to the river is by a series of rapids and waterfalls. It can easily be supposed that the channels through the river-banks are widening, and much valuable px;operty is being washed away. /