FLOODS IN THE RAKAIA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1914, 13 April 1880, Page 3

FLOODS IN THE RAKAIA.

The late heavy north-westers have resulted in a considerable fresh in the above-mentioned river, which on Saturday morning was in a state of very heavy flood. The embankment at the southern approach to the bridge sustained a slight damage by the stream, which at this point is obstructed by the extensive earthwork as by a groin. The water scoured out a considerable quantity of the shingle, and caused the railway line to give way at a point about five chains from the terrace. The traffic was interrupted for about two or three hours, and the express delayed a short time. It is much to be desired that this bridge should bo extended by open piling up to the terrace, as the dead wall here presented by the stream causes great damage to that end of the bridge by forcing (he water out of its natural course and round the corner of the embankment with almost irresistible force. This end of the bridge has already cost a large sum in protecting with rocks brought from Lyttelton, so as to form a sufficiently strong barrier. This question has lately been again brought under the notice of the Premier, who has promised to give the matter the earnest attention of the Government. The water on the north bank was higher than it has been for some time, and in several places overflows occurred, the most serious being at the boundary of the Haldon and Heslorton runs, where the banka seemed to be attacked by the ' full force of the water shunted across by the groin referred to above. The main stream is cutting a channel for itself fully four chains - from where it was running about twelve months ago.