THE FLOODS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 859, 4 October 1878, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

, ~ , , —o— In our last issue, and in our remarks on the disastrous floods in tho Molyneux, we stated that tho water had risen over the flooring of the Clyde bridge, and that with the force of the current the rails on the upper side of the structure had broken, and the bridge had canted over against the lower set of the suspension wires, and we prog, nostioated that if a further rise took ■ place, there was every probability of the whole lot going down stream, or in other words, that the Clyde bridge was doomed to certain destruction, notwithstanding the exceeding strength of all the parts, and the ■ truly admirable way in which she had been constructel. This was written on the Thursday evening, and on. Friday morning, ascertaining that the river had in the meantime fallen some two feet, in fact, had again left the bridge floor dry, and with a perceptible decrease every minute, we felt acertain amount of regret at our remarks, assuring ourselves that with a continued fall, everything would soon he right, aud traffic again resumed—but so much for the vain hopes of man—the river, it is true did fall on Friday, and until Saturday evening, when simultaneously the rain began to fall, and tho river again to rise—the rain continued all night, and when daylight dawned a scene presented itself never before aud it is fervently to be hoped never again to be seen at Clyde, not alone had the water reached the bridge, but it was a long way up the side rails, and with the quickly accumulating wreckage, it was seen that it would be hoping beyond hope to expect it to withstand the ever increasing strain. By ten o’clock the whole of the side rails were submerged, when with one sudden crash the wires were dragged off the pillars, and the greater part of the structure went in one piece down with the current, the pillars and moorings alone remaining in view, of one of the handsomest structures as ever did, or will span the Molynoux. Tho telegraph was at once put j into requisition, aud information scut to all the stations down tho river, and some people mounted on horseback, aud followj ed with the view of saving tho wreck, but j all efforts to stay so weighty a structure in j such a mighty stream were unavailing, and ,ifc pursued its unbroken course onwards— Messrs M‘Lallan, tho proprietors of tho current wheel dredge, between Clyde and Alexandra, we understand, did fasten on, but were only too glad to heave off again to save themselves. Up to this time tho bridge had claimed all attention, and nothing else had received a thought, but now the question arose—What is to go next? It had been noticed that the river banks wore being washed away in great flakes, and attention was directed to the Hospital, which was situated on a terrace overlooking tho river, it was at once seen that no time was to be lost if tho building ami its contents were to bo saved. News was at once spread that the Hospital was in danger, and in answer to tho call, though it was Sunday, everyone {gentle and simple) alike turned out and gave a helping hand, the furniture saved the building was out up into sections of about 25 feet, and by sheer force removed back some 30 feet; and when it is said that by the time tho last piece was removed the bank had washed away to within ton feet of tho door, leaving a precipitous face some 70 feet high, it will be readily admitted there was no time to spare. This work took till nightfall, when it was'thought the highest point had been attained ; at any rate, from then '.till last evening there had ‘been a slow but gradual fall of about 5 foet, but as it has been again raining most piteously the whole of this Thursday afternoon there is no saying what may be the state of the river by tho time this comes under the eyes our readers. We have no means of ascertaining what damage has been done at the head waters of tho Clntha, but from tho vast quantities of dead cattle, produce, timber, . and occasional articles of furniture that have floated past here it must be considerable. Amongst the articles of furniture that passed on Sunday was a child’s cradle, chest of drawers, clothes chests, and a cedar framed looking glass—this latter was recovered, and in the drawer was found two gold rings, and two minors’ rights in tho name of “ Hill, Wanaka also, a cask of beer was rescued, whilst of timber there must bo hundreds of pounds’ worth. Up to our last issue tho Manuhevikia .Valley had suffered considerably, but since then the damage has been tenfold. Many struggling families have lost their all in the ruthless current. Mr D Robertson, It is reported is a heavy loser, as, not alone are his buildings and gardens and fences washed away, but also a large number of sheep and cattle. A serious loss to tho district, as well as to the owners is the flooding of the coal pits, and until the . flood abates there must he great inconvenience and expense. The following intelligence, was received from Queenstown, at 11.20 a.m., on Tuesday last: —Eichardt’s Hotel in danger, Davis' Brewery gone, and all the houses opposite the Bank are going fast. o‘Kahe, at Frankton, has abandoned his house. All

roads and! bridges swept away,—From the same place, at 12.25" p.m., further arrived Front of Eichardt-’s.wooden build-' ing and Hotop’s gone. Turton’s quite safe. The Evening Star Beaumont’correspondent telegraphed on Monday Ipst“ At the time of the Beaumont Bridge going yesterday at 3 30 p m., the scene was very exciting, The water was rolling down like a wall aghinst the timbers, and it was apparent! the Structure was doomed. Several people-crossed the bridge just before it Mr Jacob Davidson, waa the , last person to cross, and just as* he landed _ on the.Lawrence side, the bridge went away, in two pieces.. Both sections of the superstructure sailed away down the river, looking like two largo Fonts. - ' One -stone.; pier ■was carried away, and there are two apparently sound. The river at 5 p, m. was 'still rising, and the water was all over the banks at the bridge site. Air Toma (Rosa and Glendinning’s traveller) had a narrow ‘escape from drawing at the Beaumont yesterday. AVhen crossing the creek near the bridge, his tfap - ' was washed down the •stream, and had it not been for the-edfb-age ■displayed by Messrs ‘ Buchan and Cowan, there would have been one casualty to : report. The men swam into the creek, cut the harness loose liberated the horses, and saved Air Toms. Mr and Airs. Foote (tide Pratt), who were married oh' Saturday at Lawrence and were spending their honeymoon here, were about tore-cross the bridge as it disappeared, and their escape is considered marvellous. The bridge was the property of Mr J. F. Hatching, who purchased it two years ago. It was recently under offer to the County Council, who offered LSOOO for it, which was refused. The .punt at Clydevale Station was carried away. The public and the contractors blame the Provincial Engineer at the time for the loss of both the Beaumont and Clyde bridges. They alleged that he was warned in both instances that the bridges would be below the high flood line of 1863--, In both cases the piers \yere raised two or : .throe feet by special public desire, and that at the Beaumont four feet at the request of the contractor, at half his own cost. At Clyde the Provincial, engineer was distinctly told that the bridge was 15ft too low, and he then raised it a mere trifle. The telegraph lines are down between Lawrence] ;nd Roxburgh, so that the fate of the Teviot bridge cannot be ascertained. Communication with all np-country districts is now completely suspended.” From the special report in the Morning Herald of the Ist inst., ave learn the.following :—A remarkable rise in the flood took place between seven and nine on Sunday evening. This was particularly noticed by two gentlemen who crossed the river at the former hour, and re-crossed at the latter. On leaving the railway line to reach the townslflp they were able to traverse several streets comparatively dry-shod. On returning, however, they had to wade in the same places ankle-deep to regain l the railway lino. Telegrams were still coming down from upcountry to the effect that the river was still rising, and Balclutha" prepared for the worst. Early on Alonday morning the water had reached a fearful height—far higher than any flood before witnessed in this district; and only one or two small ridges remained dry. At the Post Office the water must have been fully five feet deep, and several bouses in that end of the town were in an almost similar predicament. Towards the Crown Hotel, the water was not so deep, and that building remained dry. The Bank of New Zealand had six inches of water in it, and the National and Colonial Bank were probably also considerably under water. The Now Zealand aud Australian Land Company’s store was above water in consequence -of being raised some height above , the ground. The main street was a perfect canal, its depth being on an average about throe feet. In some p laces, of course, the water was considerably deeper. Opposite Wesleyan Church, the road was totally onfordable', even on horseback "; and, opposite the Farmers’ Arras Hotel, it was dangerous bn account of the current'. The Clyde and, Beaumont bridge) which had been washed away on the previous night, passed Balelu-j tha without doings any serious damage to either of the bridges. One bridge,-passed ' before daylight, and struck one of the piers of the wooden bridge, administering a severe shaking. The other passed about nine o’clock, ami went under the bridge end on—a fact which was .greeted' with 'foud cheers from a large assemblage of refugees on the hills. By eleven o’clock a.m., it was decided to remove everybody from the place aud consequently boats, railway trucks, &c.,. were brought into requisition, and the township was'totally deserted'and "buildings' left to tbeir fate. The damage as. yet in! Balclutha is not.large, and ischiefly confined to the destruction "Of flower gardens, fcci Seine houses are, of course, considerably damaged by their submersion, but as yet} only one (belonging to Air Spence) has given’ way. Others are slightly undermined, and grave fears are entertained as Vo their safety. The railway line has suffered to a largo ex-1 tent. The approach to the iron bridge is slightly shaken, and the approach to one of tho viaducts ia gradually crumbling away. At the station the water has undermined, the rails and caused considerable damage, and fears are entertained as to the general safety, of the passenger and goods stations. On the Balclntba to Clinton section a large stretch has given way. AA'hat the state of the lino is about Lovell's Flat, where the train at present stbpS, it ia impossible to tell. . V 1 Inch Clutha has suffered most. AVbat embankments had been erected either gave way or were overflowed, and the Island was -simply one sheet of water. Some stock had been removed, but still' a great deal must Jißvo perished. The amount.of land washed away must have been enormous. The river 1-appears to have made a course for itself' the middle of the. Island, which naturally ->alatms the residents. Inch'Olutha schooldirmsn was washed away, but as no coynpinnication could bo established Hie extent of the damage cannot fully be estimated.

Si irling is in a fearful state, every house ;lq-the' township beinjj flooded. In the .thajaWid hotels the -waieis ia over the counters. and all private houses have been deserts, popple, betakipg- themselves to the fnansto. ; ' i -‘-'' J *■- ..j J , Kaitangata residents are residing partly on the amigos and partly in the railway carrijEgept 1 | 'f - k i ... Te Houka was considerably under water, and it was extremely difficult to rescue the inhabitants there. In faqt,, in, one case a guarantee of LlO had to be given to a crew : .* Lovell’s, I’lat ia a-perfdot aei,' bat the railway station is still approachable. From the various other country districts no reliable reports have come to hand, hut it is anticipated they are in no particular dongew nj j ills lafyi Altogether the flood has been a most serious one for the Clutfia district, and what may be the result of ( the hot wind of yesteriu melting the bn the back ranges aud thus rising the river, it is impossible to prognosticate. All business in Balclutha is at a stand-still, no real business having been transacted since Thursday last, and it is .pvqbable that .people .will settle down to work for some time to come. Fortunately no accidents are reported. The Canterbury Press says “ The most serious damage by the late floods is the injury, to, the mUvmyJiridgc oyer the Northern -Rangitata, which in sbhio places is in a very precarious condition, so much so that it is barely safe for fopt passengers to cross. Notwithstanding this,’yesterday passengers who had arrived from the south as far as South Rapgjtata, and travellers! from Christchurch to the northern end of the bridge, rather than be stopped on their journey ventured across. Still it was a risk to run, and they were cautioned by the men who were working on the bridge. Crossing over on )tke '.plank! footway which borders the rails the danger is not perceptible, but glancing below at the network of piles, and ties, ami girders) that the bridge, the passenger sees the very frail support that the centre at present rests upon. Starting from the north end -of the' North Bridge all the piles of No. IS pier are completely washed out, with the exception of two piles driven by the Government three months ago, and these two piles are literally keeping the bridge together, and seem standing good yet. All the piles of No. I .pier, save one, have been washed awEy down the stream. The piles of No. 20 pier have also given way, and No. 17, the cut-water'pile is very loose and swaying backwards and forwards with the wash of'the water. By the appearance of tbo large.truss girder but little reliance can be placed upon it, as it is barely able to support its own weight, still less to sustain any additional burden, The whole extent of the damaged portion of. the bridge is about 220 feet. Some idea may be formed of the fury of the flood from the masses of vegetable debris that have been washed into the network .of the crosstiers aud beams far above the ordinary height of the stream. The river is .even now in places from ton to twelve feet deep, and coming down in a vast-volume. The foreman of works, Air M'Garva, is, however, sanguine, if the river continues falling as now, of completing repairs by Tuesday morning. The necessary pile driving machinery, donkey engine, piles, etc!, have already been sent from Christchurch.