TOLL IN CANTERBURY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 155, 20 March 1918, Page 6

TOLL IN CANTERBURY

ABNORiVM", REAP AND TIDES PLAY HAVOC. Hy T'.'lcKr'i'li.-'-I'rcss Ansadation. Ghristchurch, March 19. A strong easterly gale and remarkably higli tides have Daused much damage on the eastern coast of Canterbury. I" many places tlio sea advanced fur above its usual limits, and isolated several parts of coastal townships, and causod destruction to pro-

perty. The topography of aomo parts of the seasido underwent some little change through the tide sweeping over thorn, and in others road works were damagod. _ This morning's full; tide was the highest known for many years. Inland there have heen interruptions to tho telegraph and telephone services and damage to orchards.

Tho abnormal seas and tides played havoc with part of the boach defences at Now Brighton. At North Beach a good portion of tho protective barricades was eaton away, and portion of the sand embankment has disappeared. Tho wind swept over the sandhills here in a manner which caused tho country to chango in many places. The foundations of several week-end dwellings were undermined at Monck's Bav.

Redcliffs is the scene of unprecedented destruction amongst yachts. Many lie partly or wholly submorged, whilo more are piled up in confusion all along tho embankment. Some were cast bodily across tho road, and tho masts of othf rs became entangled in and damaged the electric wires. Houses along the waterfront at Redcliffs were flooded.

At Heathcote tho water stretchedin an unbroken sheet from the town side of the Zealandia soapworks across to Heathcote township. The old racecourse is under water, and barrels from the soap works were floating about the surrounding country. The ferry steamer Maori was to have gone into dock this morning, _ but on arrival at Lytteltou it was deflided not to dock her owing to the. gale. Had the work of docking been carried into effect tho chances of a serious mishap would have had to be taken into consideration, so the company's Lyttelton officials decided to keep the ferry steamer safely tied up at tho wharf. A telegram from Krtikoura states that the gale did extensive damage to tho fishermen's wharf. Two launches broke from their moorings, and were wrecked. _ The heavy seas approached the premises in the lowor part of the town.