FLOODS IN THE WAIKOUAITI DISTRICT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2284, 1 September 1870, Page 2

FLOODS IN THE WAIKOUAITI DISTRICT.

This district was visited on Thursday morning last with another flood, which threatened to equal in magnitude the two great floods of February, 18158, and May last ; hut fortunately the weather cleared sufficiently to allow the various rivers and creeks to subside. The rain commenced to fall steadily on Wednesday afternoon, and continued gradually to increase in force until matters seemed to have reached a climax, and another disastrous flood appeared imminent. The wind blew strong from the southward, and during the whole of Wednesday night and Thursday morning, up to about ten o’clock, heavy rain descended continuously. The ground being surcharged

with water from the previous long spell of wet weather we had experienced, the fall of water on Wednesday night and Thursday morning quickly accumulated, and overflowed the natural boundaries of the creeks and rivers. Culverts and small bridges in many places proved too small to receive the extra volume of water, and several places were submerged. Happily, however, a break in the weather prevented the mischief from being so serious as it otherwise would. As it is, we fear that considerable damage has been sustained to land just sown down in crop in various parts of the district, and several culverts have been slightly injured. The Waikouaiti River was very high ; the waters overflowed its banks, and a part of Cherry Farm was submerged. The Waikouaiti toll-bar and Mr Paget’s store were surrounded with water. Wo have not heard of any damage having been done to fencing. The impetuosity with which the waters rushed down the Waikouaiti River threatened annihilation to the bridge, which shook and trembled at the force of the current, and the

obstruction offered to the progress of the waters by the lodging of debris brought down with it. It is consolatory to think, however, that matters might have been worse, and that we are spared the pain of chronicling any very serious destruction of property, although in this instance the loss is more than settlers can afford. We believe tbat a good deal of land recently sown down in seed has been more or less injured at Cherry Farm. The Pleasant River was also very high, and the waters have made considerable impression on the bank on the tollbar side of the approach to the stone bridge. This river also overflowed its banks, and the lands adjoining wore flooded. The low land of Brooklands. the property of Mr. J. P. Hepburn, was submerged to the depth of about two feet, and a considerable quantity Jof land sown down in seed has been destroyed. Wo have not heard of any live stock having been lost. We believe the water was in Mr Hepburn’s barn, which is sufficient to show' that very little more was required to raise the water to such a height as to equal the disastrous consequences of the flood of last JMay. The Shag river was also very high, and those parties who reside near its banks have suffered more or less damage. During the continuance of the flood on Thursday morning, a fatal accident, we regret to say, occurred at this river. A man n.amed M‘Bride (a shepherd in the employ of the Hew Zealand Companj') and horse, were drowned in at tern’ ting to cross the river at the Waihemo ford. The body was recovered on Saturday morning, ten miles down the river, and the ho ly of the, horse thirteen. An inquest was held at Palmerston on Monday, by J. W. Murdoch, Esq. The East Taieri correspondent of the Bruce Herald writes :—“ We again have been visited by another flood on the farnsin the low lying parts of the Plain. It was all one sheet of water from Mr George Anderson’s to the Taieri river and to the hill foot. The lagoon and the various farms formed a vast lake. The fences were under water, which was only about six inches lower than what it was during the flood on Juno 7th. The rain began slowly at first, but increased after dark, and continued on Wednesday and Thursday until mid-day. It then moderated a little, and was showery all night. On Friday morning the Plain was one vast lake of water, but it fell rapidly in the afternoon and now bnt a small breadth of water is lying on the lower parts. The Silverstream was also in high flood, as wore all the various local creeks. The ground is left in a dreadful state of saturation, and it will take some time before the various farming operations can be again gone on with. The crops generally will be damaged, and the ultimate result will, I am afraid, prove serious on the Plain. Another correspondent writes ; “The fine weather previous to rains on Wednesday and Thursday was eagerly welcomed by the fanners, apd sowing spring wheat was vigoursly carried*bn, a considerable extent was got in, and farmers were beginning to resume their wonted blithe look, with the hopes that they were to get in their crops in time and in good order, but their hopes has been dispelled by the wet weather, and they are now getting dishcartend with the long continuation of bad weather. One farmer has resolved should this month continue wet to tht end, to abandon his farm, and Jlet any one who wishes take posses- . sson. I don’t think any will feel inclined to take possession, judging from the appearance it presents at the present time. ”