THE FLOOD.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2195, 20 May 1870, Page 2

THE FLOOD.

The rain which commenced on Wednesday evening has continued almost without intermission ever since ; hut the heaviest downpour occurred last evening between the hours of seven and ten o’clock. The swollen state of Jthc water channels in the early part of yesterday afternoon was an indication of what was to he expected if the rain continued but it was 'hardly expected that we should have a flood upon us so soon as it came. At seven o’clock the volume of water that came tearing down Maclaggan street was astonishing. A little later, fed by the innumerable streams emptying their waters into it, more resembling a tolerable sized creek than a watercourse, it became really dangerous. Every effort was made by the Corporation laborers to keep the different tanks in Maclaggan and Rattray streets open, but the attempt had soon to be given up, for the large stones came rolling down far quicker than the men could remove them. Long before ten o’clock the water was over the footpaths at the lower end of Maclaggan street and part of Rattray street, and entered the shops on both sides of the streets. In Maclaggan street, we believe an accident happened which very fortunately was not attended by very serious consequences. Shortly before eleven, Mr Sands, hairdresser, while iti the act of crossing the channel opposite his house, slipped by some means, and fell into the water. He was carried down by the stream as far ns Messrs North and Secular's, where he was rescued by Constable .Shei ar, with the assistance of a bystander. He received a cut over the eye, and several hniijes on his hands and arms, by coming in contact with loose stones ■ but received no farther injury. George street, from St, Andrew street, almost as far as Hanover street, was completely under water, and it was not long before it found its way into some of the shops and houses on both sines, and into several houses lying between George and Great King streets. A great stream of water was rushing down Frederick street and George street from Regent road. The Water of Leith was, during a portion of the ivght, almost a 5 high as it was on the occasion of the l|oo(|. of IfifiSh Wq hoar that all tire Hood-budge's,' with the exception of that in Duiuhis street, were washed away, Imt have ipt heard of any considerable damage being done to private property in any part of the city, During to-day there was a very large and fierce body of water in the Leith, but it was several feet lower than during the night. As usual on these oceagiops. the township of Kensington was under water, ■ ' The rain commenced in the country districts several hours before it fell here, and we fear that 'when tiie accounts reach town wo shall hear of much destruction to both pub'ic and private property. The telegraph wires north of Dunedin have been down all day, the principal breakage being the other side of PalniTdon. Linemen were despatched from town; but they have returned, and report that the rivers are impassable. It is known that the Kakanui is in high flood, npd thp drivcp oj: the Tokomairiro coach reports that (he whole ot the Taieri plain is submerged. The Government have received intelligence thit the approaches of the Wed Taieri bridge have been washed away. The Oamarn coach that left this morning returned in consequence of the bridge _at Carey’s, at the foot of Kilmog Hill, being washed away. The bridge over the Waitati was saved by the stream parting into two, and thus dividing the force of the current. The coach from Oamarn, yesterday, on arriving at the Kakanui, was compelled to retuin, as the river was impassable. The culvert op this side or Hlueskin, which has already given eo much trouble, has bin at, and the roadway is broken ; and. rs the telegraph posts on that line of road arc washed down, for the 1 resent, all communication is stopped. A telegraphic message from Balclutha, reports—“JNo rise in the river. 1 tonka right. Rough weather.” From Tokomairiro, our correspondent telegraphs—‘‘The Tokomairiro river is Hooded ponudorahly. The main road in covered beyond the bridge. r lhe Ciutha is reported to he very high. No special disasters are reported.”