THE NORTH-WESTERLY GALE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1439, 26 September 1878, Page 2

THE NORTH-WESTERLY GALE.

Latest Intelligence. The following additional particulars of the ravages committed in up-country districts by the north-westerly gale of the last two days have been obligingly furnished by the general manager of Canterbury railways. The towns and stations on both the northern and southern lines of railway have suffered severely. At Sheffield yesterday a large portion of the roof of the goods-shed was blown away. The Hawkins' station was blown across the line, and the roof of the goodß-shed at Racecourse Hill was blown off. At Oherfcsey a store and a saddler's shop were blown to the ground. A great deal of damage was also done at West Oxford, a waggon being blown over and broken, and the wind was too boisterous for any work to be done. At Home Bush station a number of small structures were completely blown over. At East Oxford all the windows of the railway station were blown in, in addition to othei damages. Some two or three chains of the Rakaia Handrail bridge are also blown down. STOPPAGE OP THE MAIN SOUTH LINK. It is reported that three spans of the Rangitata bridge, about 120 feet, are washed away, and all communication between North Bangitata and the other side of the river is suspended. The Rakaia, which in one place was reported to be a mile and a half wide, subsided two feet last night, but has since risen eighteen inches. NORTHERN LINE. The Waimakariri again rose last night, and five miautes after the passage of the last train was impassable. The trains on the main North line are running aa usual. Millett's coaches are taking passengers from Chaney's to Kaiapoi and vice versa, the only alteration in the running being the stoppage of the midday train on the branch. It is anticipated that the traffic will be resumed in a few hours after the flood has subsided The river has already begun to fall. The embankment, which has been raised since the last flood has most successfully prevented a large portion of the line from being washed away. It is anticipated that within three months the line will be perfectly safe from accidents by flood.