A BIG FLOOD.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1920, Page 4

A BIG FLOOD.

OF RECORD DIMENSIONS.

The weather, which on Saturday afternoon changed into a light rain, grew worse as night came on, and before midnight a strong north wester set in, accompanied by a heavy downpour of warm rain. This continued until mid-day yesterday, when the rain ceased off to some extent though showers continued during the afternoon. Yesterday morning about ten o’clock a flood commenced to come down, the river, and by noon it had assumed very substantial proportions, increasing in volume until by three o’clock the flood was at the highest level experienced for some years, even if it were not a record one, the roaring waters reaching a level less than two feet off the top of the wharf. The river running such a banker, all the low lying area of the river bed was well under water, there being a wide expanse of angry waters tearing down to the sea, carrying with it a large amount of drift timber, including many large trees, and at intervale a dead sheep was to be seen floating in the flood waters. At four o’clock the waters commenced to drop, and by seven o’clock the drop amounted to some three feet, but there was still a great volume of water tearing its way at a mad rate to the sea.

Tlie river waters being so high, the flood waters backed up into the lowlying portions of the town, and many of the streets were knee deep in water for the whole of the afternoon and' evening. The approaches to All Saints Church and the Methodist Church were included in the visitation, causing the ovening services to be cancelled. The lower end of Tanci-ed Street, Hamilton Street and the southern end of Sewell Street in the vicinity of the Post Office, Wore all one sheet of water, as was the footpath of Fitzlierb’ert Street, south of Stafford Street, and portion of Weld Street, some of the residences having an unpleasant, visitation, tho waters covering their floors. The flood drew a largo assemblage of spectators -to the river side and the bridge was thronged with onlookers of the rushing waters, which proved of decided interest. The young people were soon paddling in the flood ivaters, and l 'there were one or two interesting incidents to the onlookers, even if somewhat embarrassing to those taking part, as the result of mishaps among tlie paddlers. Among the flotsam and jetsam of the - flood, a large portion of what appears to be from a bridge stranded on the south side of the river, just below the railway bridge.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

The flood yesterday was one of the highest on record. Locally the Hokitika river rose ten inches above tlite 1913 record.

A good deal of minor road damage hereabouts is reported. Tlie Kokatahi road was under water to a depth of several feet in places, and a large quantity of timber and debris has been deposited on. the road. One or two platform culverts have been displaced. The road was' clear for traffic this morning.

The north approach to the Kanieri river bridge above the Forks has been washed out, and a gap of about 12 feet made. The approach subsided as a motor car was crossing yesterday. The car was recovered without any damage being done.. The break was made temporarily passable for traffic early this forenoon.

Tho slip near McKay’s Creek, on the Kanieri Lake road, which held up traffic briefly a week ago, was only affected slightly by yesterday’s excessive rainfall.

One of the dolphins protecting the main Kanieri bridge was washed out yesterday, and deposited on the island below' the Hokitika bridge. During the height of the flood yesterday, tho dolphins above tbe Kanieri bridge were submerged completely. The most serious damage reported in connection, w-itli the flood yesterday, is. the further erosion of the Little Wanganui river at the main road crossing. The river has been working in for some time, and an effort has been made to hold the stream with some temporary log protection. The temporary w-ork has been all washed out, and the river made a further serious breach. Tho front paddocks of Messrs Ferguson llros., lining the main south road, In been seriously damaged and- fencing wrecked. The road itself has been badly holed, and the approach to the ford crossing destroyed. Great quantities of water found their way on to Inter-Wanganui Flat. bore the La Fontaine Creek crosses the main road there was a depth of five feet of w-ater, and the surrounding country was a vast sheiet of w-ater. There was an abundance of water all down the flat, and at La Fontaine Settlement the water w-as over the bridge on the high way. There is a very ugly outlook for the (Inter-Wanganui Settlement if the river makes a serious breach at the threatened point, and substantial w-ork will require to be put in to hold the river. As it is Messrs Ferguson Bros.’ fine homestead property lias been very seriously damaged.

Fortunately the Residtent Enginoei. Mr James D. Gillies was in the locality and witnessed yesterday’s inundation. He would have an opportunity of pidgin,, of the serious plight the district is irrin the event of an early recurrence of a further flood. Work of a permanent nature will require to be put in, as the river has made a very strong set along its northern bank. Mr T. W. Bruce, County Chairman, has wired to Mr Seddon, M.P., acquainting him of the serious position occasioned by yesterday’s flood at Inter-Wanganui, and asking the member for Westland (who is now in Wellington) to interview the Minister of Public Works, and have authority given for permanent protection work being put in.