THE LATE FLOODS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1078, 11 December 1877, Page 3

THE LATE FLOODS.

THE RAKAIA. [from the correspondent of the press.] This river rose to a greater height on Friday morning last than it has been ever known to reach in the Ellcsmcrc district. The works which are at present in course of construction at Knyvett's Oums, the Education Reserve, and Wall's section were overflown throughout, but proved by a resolute stand the excellence of the plan upon which they are laid down. Stony Gully was for some hours impassable, the top rail of the bridge alone being visible, and the paddocks around inundated by streams of water, which made great havoc among the fences. About seventy men are engaged for the purpose, and it may be expected that when the present work? have been heightened and supplemented upon the same plan, such serious inundations as those of the last, month may be prevented. The aspect, of affairs in reference to these overflows has lately necessitated an expenditure, which the funds available from rates are utterly inadequate to satisfy, and a large sum of money must be obtained from the Trust funds at the disposal of the Government for such purposes, or by means of debentures to inaugurate a system of protective works, not only at the points specially threatened, but throughout a length of about eight miles of the north banks. In the opinion of many, the southern approaches to the Rakaia bridge, with its protective groins and boulders recently conveyed from port at a considerable cost having blocked up the former channels which lead directly to the south side of the islands, although frequently washed away, have turned the stream northward. The effect of this might be partially remedied without damage to either side, and a permanent saving effected by continuing the piling, as is the case with the Waimakariri, thereby preventing a succession of calamities, of which there has been already a serious foretaste. THE RANGITATA. [From the " Timaru Herald," December B.] Some surprise was occasioned yesterday morning by the non-arrival of the first train from the North at its usual hour. It is due at the Timaru station shortly before 10 o'clock, but it was nearly 11 before it put in an appearance. On making inquiries, we learnt that the Rangatata river was heavily flooded, and had done a good deal of damage to the railway line on its Southern bank. It was considered unsafe to let either the North or South train pass across, and the passengers were therefore conveyed over in light trollies. The river was reported to ba rising rapidly, and any further railway communication during the day was looked upon as very doabtfflt

The river broke out late on Thursday evening, a short distance above Watkins's Accommodation House, near the ordinary traffic bridge, and, continuing its wayward course, eventually went behind the railway station on ths south bank. The volume of water rapidly increased, and finally found a partial outlet by undermining the formation of the line about four hundred yards this side of the station. At the time that the first train from Ashburton rencbed the bridge yesterday morning, the plain for at least two-thirds of a mile south of this bank was under water, the current being very strong. The South Rungi'ata Station was situated on an island, and t he only safe way of getting passengers across, was as we stated before, by means of trollies. Just as the up-train was leaving the Timaru station in the middle of the day, a telegram wus received stating that the down train had got safely over the Rangitata bridge and would meettheotherat.Temuka. Onthearrival at the latter station of the Timaru train it was discovered that the northern one had not negotiated the break at Rangitata, and so it proceeded on. About half-a-mile on this side of the South Rangitata station the passengers and mails from Cbristchurch were found waiting, and no time was lost in returning with them. From this point, however, nothing but a vast sheet of water was visible in the opposite direction, and the damage sustained must have been something enormous. The north approach to the ordinary traffic bridge (situated some few miles above the railway one) was completely washed away, and all the protective works were also gone. The flood is the heaviest known in the Rangitata for years, and must have been the result of an exceptional melting of the snow on the ranges. The Bakaia was also running in a very ugly manner all yesterday, and was still rising rapidly when the train came through. The Opibi River had a large volume of water in it, and was coming down very dirtily. So far, except at the Eangitata, weiiavc heard of no damage being done.