THE RECENT FLOODS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 29, 1 June 1870, Page 3

THE RECENT FLOODS.

(Daily Timet,) The damage caused by the floods, even so far as it has as yet been ascertained, is very considerable. Happily, however, we have not heard of any loss of life having occurred, though Mr Sands, hairdresser, of Maelaggan-street, had a narrow escape from drowning by being carried down the large sewer in front of Messrs North and [ Scoular's premises. In attempting to cross 1 the stream at that point, he fell in, and was with difficulty extricated by a constable and a bystander. In Clark-street a deep channel has bean cut by the water, while in many streets large quantities of mud have been deposited. St. Andrewstreet is particularly noticeable in this respect, the condition of the upper jwrtion of that street throughout Friday (20th) being simply frightful. The "Water of Leith, as usual, has caused great devastation along its course through the city. At a point a short distance above Duncan's Mills there had been built last summer, to protect the river bank, a wall, partly of masonry cemented, and partly of piles in two rows, and sheathed with large planks, bolted closely together. The hollows behind this work were filled in with clay and gravel from the stream, which was then deepened by the prisoners. Of this work not a trace remains. It has been entirely swept away. At Messrs Marshall and Copeland's brewery about 14 feet of the yard has been carried away, with a large number of casks and tanks. During the height of the flood large trunks of trees came in contact with the arches of the bridge, but men were employed to keep the latter clear. The embankment built to protect the new Botanical Gardens was but slightly damaged in its unfinished parts; but the new channel was not large enongh to contain the large body of water which came rushing down. Several gardens in Leith-street were much damaged, but the principal loser is Mr Gebbie, whose nursery is completely wrecked; the soil, roots, flowers, bushes, and even large gum trees, being carried away. Mr Gebbie estimates his loss at £3OO. Four bridges crossing the Water of Leith at various points have been destroyed or greatly injured. Thebeach around Pelichet Bay was strewed with casks and malt tanks, which had been swept away from the yards of Messrs Marshall and Copeland's brewery. These had a sadly battered appearance, large hole,s being knocked through many of them, and they were also much bulged. Besides these, other malt-tanks were swept into the bay, but most of them have since been recovered. Barrels, small driftwood, berry bushes, and trunks of trees were also washed down, and as the flood gradually fell, were left on the many heaps of stones in the neighborhood. The various streams which run into the Water of Leith likewise caused great damage in the gardens through which they flow.

THE NORTH ROAD. The driver of the north coach was compelled to turn back, as he found that Carey's bridge at the Blueskin had been washed away. There are a few landslips along the main road, but they are not sufficient to cause an interruption of thetraffic. The residents of Blueskin have not as yet sustained any injury by the flood. A telegram from Waikouaiti states that the approaches to the Waikouaiti bridge have been carried away, and the bridge itself has been twisted, while the road is under water.

THE SOUTH ROAD. Green Island was floaded on the 20th by the overflow from the Kaikorai, which by about 12.30 had risen higher than it was ever known to have done before. Mr Townsend's family had to he shifted from his house to his barn for safety. He estimates the damage done to his stacks at £SO. Mr Bunciman's mill dam, and a bridge near it were destroyed. He estimates his damage to the extent of £ 150. A footbridge across tha river in front of Mr Sampson's butcher's shop was carried away into a paddock belonging to Mrs Shand. Mr Brown, fellmonger, suffered considerable loss, the flood having carried away a large quantity of wool and timber. Some of the wool was afterwards seen floating in the fields at a distance of a mile away. The Silverstream is greatly flooded, the Taieri River is from bank to brae, and the entire plain has again become a vast lake. Traffic from beyond the West Taieri bridge is stopped, the approaches to it being washed away. The farmers will, we fear, be heavy losers, as the growth is stopped for this season, and the wintering of their cattle will be a- hard task for them. At daylight yesterday morning the river was found in a state of heavy flood, and a considerable portion of the plain was under water. The old fellmongery was flooded, and the works in progress for the new establishment were considerably damaged. Salmond's Creek hasbeen very much flooded. The small dam at Mr Saunderson's flour mill, together with a new sluice, and a portion of the race, were carried away during Thursday night, and a quantity of wheat was damaged by the water, ' Considerable damage was done on the farm of Mr G. E. Brown, Tokomairiro, Mr Browld had just completed a race from SalmoncpL Creek to a mill at his steading. TJ»ie rtkii was entirely swept ot&er damage wandono in fegW bone-wcrk.s.