THE FLOODS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2196, 21 May 1870, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

The dry weather which for some time prevailed before Tuesday evening, has been followed by a continued fall of rain, and while we (Bruce Standard) write there seems no prospect of its cessation. As a natural consequence this district has been again Hooded in some parts by the overflowing of the north and south branches of the Tokomuiriro river. All the buildings and premises contiguous to its banks in the township have been more or less inundated ; the fellmongery of Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co., suffering most damage. The road leading to the toll-bar was yesterday morning covered with water in most places. The rise in Salmoud’s Creek has been on this occasion greater than in former floods, and we regret to learn that Messrs Sanderson and Co., of the Hellensbrook Mills, have suffered serious loss from the washing away of the dam and flaming ; while further up, the foot-bridge, near Mr .Salmoud's residence, has been washed away. The now bridge on the main road has not suffered to any extent, but the paddock adjoining, and occupied by Mr Gillies, is being washed away where the stream was, some time ago, diverted from the old course. We have not yet heard of the loss of any cattle, or any serious accident. An East Taieri correspondent writes us late in the afternoon of yesterday We are again experiencing another very heavy flood from the rain, which has continued without intermission ever s ; uce Tuesday evening, 'the creeks are now like little rivers, and the plain has the appearance of a vast lake from the 11th milestone to the Taieri river, including the greater part of the West 'Taieri- The farm of Mr Anderson, East Taieri, is completely under water, apd the tops of the fences a-e in some places covered. The plain will soon be not habitable, unless some extraordinary means are adopted to prevent the recurrence of loss from floods The grass will be destroyed for this season where it is flooded, and it will fall bard on the owners of such ground, after having bad such a poor harvest, the flood of January last, and later still, of May 2nd, when the lagoon came across the district. The flood of to-day is now only a very few inches lower than in January last. Our Waikouaiti correspondent telegraphs ; —“The approach to the Waikouaiti bridge at the south end is washed away, and the bridge has been started. Cherry Farm was inundated on Friday morning, the fences washed away, and other damage sustained. The water was higher than oa the occasion of the flood of 1808. The culverts and bridges between. Waikouaiti apd Palmerston arc all more or less injured. Communication by coach with town and the north is stopped. Young’s hotel, at Palmerston, was flooded out. Pleasant River overflooded its hanks, the water nine inches deeper than in the February flood. The tables, furniture, &c., inside the hotel had to be lashed and ballasted to prevent them floating and being washed away ; all perishable articles were fastened to the ceiling. Brooklands, Mr 11 (.minim’s property, is submerged, and alt the' fences destroyed. Sloan and Patterson’s store was flooded,’ l and the octjuphuts were compelled to remove upstairs for Safety. The waggons camped on the road are standing 4ft. in water. The Shag River is high. Glover’s store is submerged, and stacks and property destroyed. Full particulars not yet in. Generally more damage has been done than by the last flood.” The following telegram was received today by the Engineer of Roads and Works : “The toll-bridge will he impassable for two days. Waikouaiti bridge south approaches away. Deep hole. Flag swamped slightly. ’]:«■(( beyond Young’s impassable. Will have All ’but WaikQuh'.'t} pig-snble in fopr days. Another span wiU be required at ft,” Constable Cutclifl’e, who is stationed at the West Taieri, reports the occurrence of a very heavy flooding of the Taieri river, and the complete stoppage of all traffic over the West Taieri Bridge, the flood having carried away the embankment forming the approach to the east end of the bridge. The flood reached its height about 10 a,in. this day (Friday g but fell sh.vjy all day, and at 10 p.m. was iibouF oho hop ’lowbr fh;m Hie morning, The constable states that the Hood has not been so bad as the last at the new year. There is no report of any accident to life, only of great damage done to lauds and roads. The water is sfill covering a large part of the plain and roads.