FLOODS AT THE THAMES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1130, 12 March 1872, Page 2

FLOODS AT THE THAMES.

Grahamstown and ShortUind have suffered from floods which at one tine threatened to be very serious. The following are some of the particulars given in the Thames papers :—• - - ;i~ ?:

The rain fell in steady] torrents/; For some days workmen had been engaged in clearing out the Moanataiari culvert, and had left off their work about the centre of Coromandel street, nearly opposite the Prince Alfred Hotel. About three o'clock the culvert burst at this part, also further up, and at once converted Coromandel street into a river. Fortunately for the dwellers in Golden Crdwn street, the main part of the flood was confined to Coromandel street, the dwellings 'in which were unapproachable throughout the evening. Those in charge of the Manukau battery fought vigorously against the water, and successfully for a time, but at length it was too much for them, and they had to stop work and close the battery. On reaching the foot of Coromandel street, the river divided, part passing harmlessly over the road, and part turning along the beach, next the houses, toward the Waiotahi. The houses on the beach line were flooded, and the shopkeepers and householders were busy in the rain taking measures to prevent their properly being swept away by the torrent. Fortunately the culvert in the Waiotahi kept clear, otherwise a large quantity .of valuable tailings would have been carried away, and nearly the whole of Grahamstown would have been flooded. ; ■-•■ : l The greatest amount of damage by the flood has been done in the Caledonian yard by the overflow of the Waiotahi. All culverts and water-courses were utterly insufficient; and a great volume of water rushed through the Caledonian yard, carrying away the fencing and tons upon tons of valuable tailings. Most of these tailings were sold a few days ago to Mr J* Brown and Mr Masters, at about LI per ton, so that these gentlemen wUI be heavy losers. The street in front of the battery was nearly knee-deep in a broad stream running across it, and flooding the premises between the lower side of the roadway and the beach. Strenuous exertions were made in the afternoon to save the tailings, but towards evening hope and effort seemed to be abandoned, and the waters did as they list. The Karaka rose rapidly, and towards evening overflowed its channel in many places, carrying away considerable quantities of ': firewood and timber. At the Pollen street bridge the stream laid the whole; of the allotment oh which the Presbyterian' Church stands under water. The J unction. Hotel was surrounded by the flood, which poured down 'Pollen street towards the Waio-Karaka channel. Up tothis point, however," the centre of the street remained clear, but from this to Albert Btreet the water was nearly knee-deep on the crown of the road; ' r The Tararu Creek, having its [sources far back amongst the ranges, rose high early in the day, and to a height which those who have lived there since the opening of, thegold field have never seen equalled. ■ 'S * *.