FLOOD DAMAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1923, Page 3

FLOOD DAMAGE.

[BY TELEGRAPH—-PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] BREAKDOWN OF WIRES. WELLINGTON, May 9. In consequence of the breakdown of the tolegraph wires at Clarence Iliver, communication between Wellington and Christchurch has had to he maintained via Westport. In reply to inquiries, the Postmaster General, the Hon Mr Contes, stated that a quadruple duplex telegram printing machine, capable oi taking 400 messages an hour, is being installed between Wellington and Christchurch via Blenheim, Tophou.se, Gleuhopo, and Greymouth. The .superintending engineer telegraphs that Mr E. A. Shrimpton left for Nelson by the \\ ainui to visit the scene of tlie breakdown, and see to matters on the spot; and also that local engineers have lieen instructed to get the work of repair in hand as soon as i>ossible. DOHA DERBY CASE. DUNEDIN. May 9. In the trial of .Tames Proctor Xic-h----olson, for alleged false pretences in connection with the trotting mare Dora Derby, a verdict of acquittal was returned. CHARGE OF THEFT. DARGAVTLLE, May 9. At the .Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, Robert Coe was charged with receiving fifteen sums amounting to £B3 3s 3d belonging to the Provident Life Assurance Coy., and that lie did fraudulently omit to account lor tlie same, thereby committing theft over a period extending from 1916 to 1922. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to Auckland Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed. THE LAND HUNGER. PALMERSTON X., May 9. A remarkable demonstration ot the unsatisfied land hunger was given when one of the largest land sales lor years was held at Bulls to-dav. Abraham and Williams, in conjunction with Levin and Coy., disposed of McKclvie’s Flock House Estate. Thirty-four sections, varying from 15 to 460 acres were auctioned, and 23 were sold, the prices ranging from £8 to C 63 per acre. The sale totalled £60,000. WORK NOT AFFECTED. WELLINGTON, -May 0. Hon J. G. Coates asked whether the recent phenomenal rains had seriously affected work in connection with llie M.angahao hydro-electric scheme, stated that work wits going on just as usual. The Department had no word of any difficulty having arisen, and they would certainly have heard had any occurred As a matter of fact, said tlie Minister, they can deal with steady rain up there. Work is proceeding all rig according to plan. INQUEST. DUNEDIN, .May !'. At the inquest, Ellen Coding, wife of the deceased deposed that he had been worrying about a. divorce case in which lie was co-respondent, and had made seme remarks about doing away with himself. Witness saw deceased lor the last time about seven yesterday and going into the kitchen tais morning she found deceast-d lying on the floor with the gas tube in his mouth ami a coat over his head. 'I he gas was turned on and lile was extinct. Witness was going to commence divorce proceedings against deceased after bis nun case was over.

Elizabeth Jane Stewart said she had known deceased for the lasi six years and saw him at her home in Grange Street last night. He scenic-’ worried ovei the divorce case- which v. as l ending. Ifer husband was taking l ''"' ‘ ' ing> in which deceased «as • o-ivxpi.ii-dent. Deceased said lie would see witness again. Witness "as living apart from her husband.

The coroner returned a indict- of suicide by t-oai gas poisoning.

KAIKOURA DISTRICT INUNDATED CHRISTCHURCH, May 10.

Tiio heaviest flood ill Kaikmira's history is reported. Rain commenced on Friday, continuing Saturday. Sunday, and Monday.

The district is inundated through heavy seas stemming the rushing waters at the mouth of the rivei.

There are land slides on tlie roads to Blenheim and tlie road to Christchurch is blocked for traffic. The telephone and telegraphic wires arc down, thus isolating Kaikoiira.

Middle Creek rose over the bridge which is impassable. On the north road the Kow’nai river overflowed. The bridge on the south road and residences near the banks of the Lyell stream suffered heavily, tlie water Doing over a foot deep in one residence. The water at the Dairy Company's office was lip in the door handle, and a depth of three feet was at Flower’s Corner, the shop also being flooded. The shops on the other side of the road, at a lower loved, suffered severe damage. There was four feet of water in the simps, and much stock was damaged. West end residents wore forced to seek refuge in the hotels. The Long Creek sawmill was washed away and hundreds of cords of wood, wit’ll the engine and sawTienc!i, wore lost. Linesmen have been landed at Kaikoura to repair tlie lines and are equipped with a harpoon gun to shoot the wires across streams. The rainfall is 25.8 inches.

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

CHRISTCHURCH, May JO

The only places isolated in tnc Christchurch postal district to-day are Avoca and Cass on the Midland railway. The West Coast mails arc going via Wellington. The telegraphic position to-day Is the same as yesterday, hut it is hoped to got connection with Kaikourn and W'aiau to-day. The rainfall in Christchurch since Thursday is 0.230, which heats all records. Mr Skev, Director of the Magnetic Observatory, says that the high icooids, such as 25 inches, may be incepted as reliable as they would probably he due to cloud hursts. '"HEAVY RAIN AT NAPIER. NAPIER, May 9. From Thursday last till this evening between four and five inches of ran. were recorded here. Till this afternoon the falls were not exceptionally heavy, but now the indications are that this district may receive its share of the water that is being distributed over the country. The river’s lower reaches are not yet- above normal, hut in the hack country reports state it rs rising. There is a good deal of surface water about, hut nothing serious, as a result of the rain is at present antici pated. 171 OR SALE—Five store PIGS. Apply TV. T. N. Bond, Arahura.