THE RECENT FLOODS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1714, 3 April 1913, Page 6

THE RECENT FLOODS.

TIDING OVER DIFFICULTIES. (By Telegraph.—l'rces Association.) Gore, April 2. in bright sunshine the work of restoration of business premises and houses after the flood damage proceeded apace today. Auelkm sales are proceeding oatside tho shops. Losses in certain grain stores are much heavier than was expected. The damage is mostly confined to grass- aiul clover Med. which is absolutely ruined. One nrm lost nearly .£IOO worth of these seeds alone. The discarded seed is sprouting.fine firm is clearing its store out' with tho aid of a. horse and dray. Some apprehension is felt in Lunisden regarding the Oreti, which appears to have formed a new channel behind Crosbio's and Macpherson's hotels. It is feared another big flood may causo tho stream to divert further towards the east, when it would enter the main street of the town and affect practically the whole business portion. The work of supplying water to Gore is being met by tlio local steam fire engine at the eleelrical pumping station. It is estimated that the supply from this resource, will scon equal the demand from all parts' of tho town. It is hoped that fcy the end of the week the ordinary ser-, vice will he available. The river is only two and a half feet nbove its normal level. Generous offers cf assistance have been received from Dunedia and Invercargill. The relief committee meets to-night to consider the situation, and it is thought that every demand will be ablo to be met locally. REPAIRING EANGITATA BRIDGE. Ashburton, April 2. Inconvenience, to the travelling public caused by the damage to the Kangitata Railway Bridge by the late floods is now nearly overcome. To-day all the traffic was proceeded with. It lias been found necessary to put down a new siding on the northern end of the bridge so that the plant used in pile-driving can be removed to it when the main line is in use by' trains. Should the bridge ever suffer damage from floods in tliß future, the Department will to better prepared to meet the situation. Six new piles will have' to be driven. Those piles which were washed out. were 33 feet in length. The new piles will be ten feet longer. Pile-driving will be commenced to-night after the last train 'has passed, and ,proceed nig'itlv till Sunday, when the men will work, if necessary during the day. INTF,ERUPTIONS OVERCOME. - Timaru, Ajiril 2. The Mount Cook motor • service has practically been restored, cars getting through both ,ways on Tuesday. A good deal of road-mnking was necessary for the first fqw milen from the Hermitage. All traffic has been resumed over the liangitata Bridge, and trains are again running to time, though the big engines aro not being taken over the bridge. These aro expected to be able to cross tomorrow.