THE LATE GALE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2245, 13 June 1881, Page 3

THE LATE GALE.

On Friday night a strong B.W. gale, accompanied by a heavy down-pour of rain, set in, and continued during the whole of Saturday up to midnight The side channels of the various streets were flooded to a great e.ttent, and in some of the low-lying parts of thb city, particularly to the east and southa large quantity of storm-water accumulated. Business in the city on Saturday

was almost entirely suspended, but, beyond some damage to fenoes and trees by the wind, no ill effects appear to have resulted, so far as Christohurch and the immediate neighbourhood is concerned. The Avon, from the quantity of etprm-water poured into it, rose to a considerable height, and the lower Avon road by Oowlishaw's corner was overflowed. The following reports reached us on Saturday evening: NOBTHEBN DISTRICT. From 5 p.m. en Friday till Saturday evening the rain in heavy showers and the wind in furious gu*ts continued with but few intcrmiesions. No doubt to the agriculturist* the soaking which the farm lands have at last received will be hailed with feelings of intense satisfaction, as since Saturday, June 28th, two years ago, the country has not experienced the effect of a similar copious rain. On the other hand the partially flooded state of the

rivers, drains and highways was the cause of great inconvenience to the travelling public and cost to the local public bodies. Such cccurrencss, however, tend to remind the latter of the weak places in their drainage systems, and cause the ratepayers to take renewed interest in public drains and roads, which in itself is something at times to be desired. On Saturday the Waimakariri and its confluents were all brimful along the North road and railway. The cutting at Stewart's Gully relieved tho overflow of tho south branoh of the Waimakariri issuing at Ohainey'i corner, and neither the line nor the main road were interfered]v. ith so as to stop traffic The north branoh of the . Waimakariri received a more than liberal addition from tho Oust and watershed of the country from Oxford Hill, via the main drain, as also from the Eyre river, which was filled i from bank to bank and backing up the Cam.

As the tide which affeots the Waimakariri in both branches happened to bo nearly reap, the back water was only of a few hours' duration, when the currents started freely again for the outlet. The system of protective works along the banks of this river now aid considerably in reducing the danger of severe floods to a minimum. The land between Southbrook and Kuiapoi was subjoct to much of the rainfall. At the Ohoka there had been a heavy fall, also from Eyreton, along to West Eyreton. Through the Oust and Oxford districts heavy rain fell all day. About mid-day the Oxford-Kaiapoi lino was injured at Bennett's, between there and West Eyreton, by the overflow of drainage. The OxfordBangiora branch train was stopped from a like cause, the water being over the metals between Bennett's and Oust, opposite Mr B. L. Higgins' property. In consequence of these detentions the Oxford passengers from town were detained at Kaiapoi or Bangiora. It is expected that the delays will not, however, be of long duration, and traffic: will probably be able to go on to-day. The Ashley River was running bank and bank, and fears were excited lest it should overflow the country in the direction of Bangiora. AMBEBLET. The rain continues! all through Friday night, one of the most violent sou'-west gales experienced for years raging at Amberley during that night and all day on Saturday. Business was entirely suspended, and in many caseß residents were fully occupied in keeping the drifting rain from entering their premises. The Eowai was impassable, and the Waipara was also very high, no attempt being made to cross on Saturday. On Friday afternoon, a horseman who attempted to cross from the north bank had to return. Mr Holder brought in the north mails late on Friday evening, having carried thorn across the railway bridge. LYTTELTON. The storm on Saturday was felt more soverely at Port than any that has occurred for two years, or sinoe the memorable gale of June, 1879. Its effects upon the shipping were not, however, of the least consequence beyond the circumstance of delay in loading or discharging, which necessarily ensued as a result of the continuous rain. Indeed, no higher recommendation for Jjytteiton as a safe port should be required than that contained in the fact that of the large number of vessels, including many of over one thousand tons register, lying at the wharves there was not one which could not have been kept steadily at work during the most of the gale had it not been for the rain that accompanied it. The tide, both morning and evening, was vmißually high at flood, higher, the harbormaster reports, than has been the case within his recollection. Over at the dockworks there was at one time a fear that the coffer dam would be unequal to keep out the water, and had the tide risen but a few inches higher, the works must certainly have been flooded. As it was, a sufficient quantity overflowed to render pumping necessary for some hours. In other respects, the mischief wrought by the storm ashore was of no consequence. ASHBUBTON. The weather at Ashburton has been exceedingly wet all the past week,but on Friday evening it commenced to rain and blow with some violence, and continued all Saturday. Mo damage was done, though the streets were well flooded, and water stood to a considerable depth in some of the lower-lying parts of the town. I Br Tbieobaph.] WELLINGTON, June 11. According to a telegram from Sydney on Friday evening the weather was clearing on the East Coast after two'inches of rain had fallen, but there was fresh depression with heavy grade for N.W. winds appearing at Perth and King George's Sound. June 12. The weather exchange cable from Sydney on Saturday evening says :—The depression reported yesterday off the Leewin has not advanced. The weather generally is fine, except at Brisbane, where there is a heavy south-west gale. The disturbance of Thursday evening at Sydney is now affecting New Zealand.

KAIAPOI, June 12.

No very serious damage has been reported beyond the injury to the line of railway near Bennett's Junction. There was a strong current in the north branch of the Waimakariri, which will have the good effect of improving the channel for navigation. There are a few instances in whioh, on low lands, persons have been temporarily inoommoded with a superabundance of [water, but little real damage has been done. AKABOA, June 11. The floods hero caused great damage to the roads and bridges. A Chinaman's garden was nearly all washed into the sea, and the beach is strewn with vegetables. The b.b. Akaroa put in for shelter. TIMABU, June 12. The heavy gale which has prevailed for several days broke last night, and the weather to-day is beautifully calm. Most of the rivers were in flood, but no damage has yet been reported. The rainfall was the heaviest experienced for years, DUNEDIN, June 12. The weather has cleared up here.