FURTHER FLOOD INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1442, 30 September 1878, Page 2

FURTHER FLOOD INTELLIGENCE.

KAIAPOI.

[By Telegbaph.]

[fbom the cobbespondent of the pbess.] Kaiapoi, September 29.

The body of flood water in the Waimakariri was considerably augmented on Saturday night by the rainfall during the terrific N.W. gale on the ranges on Friday. The current came down with fearful rapidity, carrying destruction and leaving waste and ruin in its wake. It Bwept past the head of Kaiapoi Island with alarming violence, taking away with it a large extent of land and silt. The cutting took a portion of the overflow, and lower down the stream the south branch oj the river found vent at two places, viz., near and opposite Mr Monk's farm. At the lirst of these places, the North road, between Chainey's • and Trewaven's, waa rendered impaeoabie. This overflow spread over the adjoining land, and, joining with the larger ovcriiaw at the site of the new bridge opposite the second overflow, a largo body of water was backed on to the North road, and round the farms of Messrs Stanton, Wright, Burgess, and Tibbott. The outlet recently made by the river across the railway, and through the farms o£ Messrs Stosvart and Fantham, was full for a distance of six or eight chains, submerging the metals. The current all day ran very swiftly over this section of the railway, and reached the main river again at Baxter's Ferry, a portion of the river lately almost dry. The overflow whs carried away in u well-defined channel twenty yards in width, through Mr Fantliam's farm. Mrs Stewart has received compensation to the extent of sixty-five acres of waste land, and Mr Fantliam's case is one worthy of notice. The principal part of the river near the railway bridge was a most fomidable looking htreaai. It still threaten* the south approach, and th'e works cannot "resist its foive muoh longer. The groin stood out like a hoarding well towards the centre of the river. On it might be painted tire name of its architect and Sir Christopher Wren's "si monumentum reguiris Cirownspicc" for lower down can bo seen its effects upon the east send of Charles sheet iu the town. Fortunately the largo body of water found an overflow, as before stated, and thus the dire consequences to thia portion of the borough were averted. Nevertheless the river continues to do much damage to the baaks. At the time of sesdios tli^

message the flood is falling fast. It isimpossible to say what the railway traffic arrangements will be. Some of the line repaired last week is again damaged, and a large extent of that which the men were not able to get at on Saturday. As the 'busses on Saturday were unable to convey more than a third of the passengers from Chainey's northwards, the others would have been left behind but for the fact that three of the permanent way hands put on a trolley and crossed them over the breaches, thus showing that all along the railway authorities could have done the same. Having crossed the gaps the distance to Kaiapoi, from which the Oxford and Amberley trains started is one-and-a half miles, but the stationmaster there came to the rescue with the first train which came in, The traffic department came in for tt large share of abuse, and it was even suggested, if the materials were procurable, to burn an effigy of the chief of that department. The public will probably have to put up with the busses till Wednesday. In the meantime the erection of the new bridge must be proceeded with as fast as possible, or traffic will suffer a more lengthened mterruption. It is reported that near Mr Fairweather's, at Eyreton, before the main stream reaches Kaiapoi Island, a serious scour has set in, which may lead it eventually into the north branch again. Steps will be taken to see to this.

TIMARTJ. Timabit, September 25. The weather continues most unsettled. It was unbearably hot yesterday morning, and in tho afternoon suddenly changed to the south-west, and rained hard till this morning. News to hand to-day shows that the Waitaki, Otaio, Opihi, and Oraki rivers were very high on Wednesday last. A butcher's shop, part of an hotel, and the roof of the woolscounng works at Silverstream, beyond Albury, were blown down. Many grain stacks throughout the district were scattered, and some farmers have suffered heavily. The Taupo arrived from Port Chalmers this morning, and took on the passengers for the North delayed here by the damage to the Rangitata railway bridge, numbering over forty. The telegraph line has now been carried over the bridge, and it is intended to make it there permanently, instead of placing the poles in the river. The damage done, altogether, in this district cannot yet be estimated, owing to full accounts from the back country not being received. It will amount, however, to many thousands of pounds. Several very narrow escapes are reported, but no lives lost. THE FLOODS IN OTAGO. IPBB PBBSa AGBWOT.J Dunedin, September 29. The following telegrams have been received from country districts re the recent floods:— B „ CiYDE, September 27. The Clyde bridge is not carried away, but has its back broken. The river is now (4.27 p.m.) going down. The weather is threaten--ID g' September 28. The river is rapidly falling. The Clyde bridge is not so much damaged as was feared. A few hundred pounds will suffice for its repairs. On account of the Alexandra punt wires being broken and the damage to the bridge, there is no communication between the Clyde or Alexandra and Teviot. QtjeenßTOw"N, September 28. The floods in the stream are subsiding, but the Lake is very high, and rising _ slightly. The weather is still unsettled, with occasional showers. Immense land slips have occurred, and the damage to roads throughout the whole district is great. Many culverts have been carried away. The lower Shotover bridge is comparatively uninjured, and is again passable. No down country mails have arrived since Tuesday via Dunedin or Kingston. La whence, September 28. Tho Molyneuz is falling gradually. No further damage has been done to Beaumont bridge, and it is safe for traffic. Ceo.aiwell, September 28. It is still raining heavily up country all round, and the rivers are again rising. Great fears are entertained for the safety of the new bridge over the Clutha at Eocky point. The wires of the punt at Alexandra are carried away, and traffic is conducted by boast. Gangs of men are engaged between here und Arrow repairing the roads, which will occupy Borne days. The Clyde bridge is said to be eafe, although it will cost a good deal to put it right again. The weather is miserable and threatening. Baloitjtha, September 2b. The river is overflowing. Gangs of men are working to prevent the water getting into the township, but the river is getting the mastery and flowing upon the streets. Mrs Kan's house was burned down. It caught fire when the girl was lighting the fire ' 11.35 a.m. The water is rushing into the township. The post-office is surrounded, and a strong current is flowing past. The gardens are flooded, and the inhabitants are moving property to a place of safety. v 3 * 2.15 p.m. A groat portion of the township is under water. The main street is like a river. The post-office has been inaccessible since eleven o'clock. The inhabitants are still moving their goods,' furniture, &c, to places of safety. The river is Btjll rising. Inch Clutha is nearly submerged, and also much of the surrounding land. The ordinary channel of the river is obliterated. 3 p.m. All the principal streets are like riyers, the water in some places being up to the saddieflaps. The river is still rising. The weather is warm. All the inhabitants are cheerfully assisting each other. REEFTON. Reefton, Soptembor 29. The rivers are still flooded here, and the rain continues, with no immediate prospect of cessation. A large number of Supreme Court suitors and witnesses are awaiting an opportunity to proceed down country, but there is little chance that travelling will be possible before Monday or Tuesday at the earliest.