RESERVOIR BURSTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2366, 23 January 1915, Page 6

RESERVOIR BURSTS

•THE BLUFF FLOODED

HOUSES SUBMERGED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

Inveroargill, January 22. At 5.30 this 6voning the Harbouf. Board's reservoir at the Bluff, from,! whioh the town's water supply is drawn, hurst, oausing a sensation and inflicting damage estimated at not less than £10,000.

Tho holding capacity of the reservoir is from sis to seven million gallons. About six months ago it was enlarged, and it is thought possible that the walls had not properly set. On Thursday night a record rainfall of 2.2 inohes fell, aud during to-day .8 inches. The overflow took place at the: eastern corner of the avenue, then a breach ocourred which gradually widened, and then came the deluge: Most of the people were in their, homes at the time, it being the evening meal hour. The fist indication of coming disaster was a.6ound liko steam escaping. At first little notioe was taken, as the creek running from the reservoir had been in flood all day, and it was thought that the noise emanated' from there.

As the noise beoame persistently louder, the people began to realise that something out of the ordinary was the matter, and just before the debacle took place it dawned on them that the reservoir had broken, and this few seconds-, saved life, then the deluge swept down. In all, fifteen residences were Bubmerged, and six business places flooded. Hedges and fences vere swept away in all directions,. and houses turned completely round, (too wasbhouse was swept two blocks away. The main, street was flooded; the water went over the railway line and poured into the harbour. The orioket. .bowling, and tennis grounds were submerged. There was no loss of life.