THE FLOODS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 566, 11 April 1876, Page 3

THE FLOODS.

NORTHERN DISTRICT. Yesterday all the rivers in the North was high in consequence of the heavy rain. The Hurunui coach, driven by Mr Lee, however, got through, arriving at Hurunui at 125 pm. It left again at 1,30. The Ashley was in a higher state of flood than usual, and the Waimakariri also oveiflowed its banks at several points, Kaiapoi was under water in some places, but it did not rise high enough tr cause serious apprehension. On the North road, at Mr Stanton’s, it spread into several paddocks, and surrounded Mr Wall’s threshing machine to a depth of three feet, also placing Mr S, Holland’s stacks under water. The North road in several places was under water. At Chaney’s the current cut across the railway line, but traffic was kept open by allowing the water to pass through channels cut under the line, till the arrival of the evening down train, wtiich was detained at Chaney’s An inspection of the line showed that between the ninth and tenth mile pegs the ballast was washed from under the sleepers, at four or five places, the holes being about twelve feet in depth, and the water rushing through them from the north to the south side at such a furious rate that it was considered better not to take the train over. The passengers walked to Kaiapoi, the ladies being taken through to that place in two carriages, pushed by a number of men. The stalionmaster there telegraphed to Rangiora for the Araberley train to be sent on. Late last evening the water was quickly subsiding. There will probably be a little delay in the traffic this morning, but the damage will most likely be repaired in a few hours, and passengers will be forwarded safely over the damaged portions of the line. THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT. On the South Line the damage was confined to one place. Part of the approach of Rakaia Bridge, was washed away. The river overflowed its banks, and washed away a portion of the railway line at a point about a quarter of a mile from the bridge on the southern side ; altogether about a chain in length was injured. The morning and midday trains were detained for some time, and the passengers were transferred across the gap. Before the evening train bad arrived, the damage done had been repaired, and the train was consequently enabled to proceed on its course all right. THE LYTTELTON AND OHRISTOHUHCH LINE. On the Lyttelton and Christchurch line, the narrow guage, which had been just completed, has been slightly damaged near the tunnel mouth, in consequence of the embankment being now work and not properly settled. This damage has not yet been rectified, but will no doubt be attended to soon.

At the Waimakariri Gorge, where Mr Stocks is building a bridge, a quantity of the material used in the work was washed away, including one cylinder, which was swept some distance down the river.