FLOOD DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1923, Page 3

FLOOD DISASTER.

[by TELF.ORAI'H—PER I'RESS ASSOCIATION.] THE MIDLAND DA.MAGE. CHRISTCHURCH, -May 11. Over many miles on the Midland line the track is broken or blocked by slips, washouts, breakages, and interruptions of various descriptions. At practically every yard there is evidence of tho tremendous force of the onslaught made by the flood-waters on tbe permanent way. Tbe mere •submergence of the line under masses of alluvial wreckage is too common a feature to he reckoned in the computation of the things that matter in causing the blockage of the line. For miles am: miles there is practically a chaotic miscellany of wreckage of various kinds on the embankment and hillsides, the ballasting and the trac-K----sides. Some of the accumulations a-e great and many are small, but all . of them threaten the security of Hie hue, and many involve the track itself in tlm general catastrophe that seems to li ,w> fallen on the whole countryside. The damage to the line that matters is contained in about live miles that lie between Olarama and Broken Kfver. Commencing at Otarama, the agencies of destruction have presented an Impressive prelude by the tearing away of about IAO feet of the hillside, leaving a chasm that is sufficiently impressive in its ugliness to cause one to shudder. The climax is near Broken River, and it a fitting climax to so impressive a beginning. There the water lias chosen its ground so effectively that tilling "ill he as hopeless as a deviation is unthinkable. A bridge will have to he built. The tunnel mouths, a few chains apart, look out on an awesome gap that opens almost at one’s feet, and presents a precipitous drop to the muddied waters or the Broken River infinite distances below. Above, the mountains rear their scarred, disfigured sides to remote

heights. The whole spectacle is that of an awful hut cunningly laid snare, challenging tho ingenuity of the repair gangs." Between these two impressive breaks there are smaller pictures, in keeping. Away beyond Broken River there are, of course, other impediments to traffic, but they are minor things. The real damage to the line is between Otarama and Broken River, and the worst damage is at the mouth of the No. 9 funnel.

FLOOD WATERS RECEDING. CHRISTCHURCH, -May 11. Back to normal is the essence of the reports received to-day in regard to Cue districts a fleet ed by tbe floods. The | waters are now recoding and only the verv low-lying areas are now carrying flood water. Although the weather does not appear to have taken up permanently, rain lias held off, and the only dangei at the present time is from a north wester in the hill districts. It such a wind should get up it would be .serious, as there is a very large snowfall on the ranges, extending down into the foothills. The Waimakariri River is normal. At Kniapoi the flood waters are rapid--1 v draining away irom tbe flats, and all the houses are now approachable with gum-boots. Thick deposits ol silt have been left in the houses, and much personal property lias been ruined. With I lie better weather, tbe farmers wlm have suffered losses are now able to ascertain their position. The greatest difficulty for many of them will tie to find grazing for the slock, as the flood waters have left coatings of silt on paddocks, which during winter, in nnlinarv years, provided a good bit of feed. I land feeding of stock will ha veto lie resorted to in many instances. Fi IS IT lON AT BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM. May 11. There i- nothing new to report about the flood except that advices from Awalere and Flnxbotirne districts are to the effect that the Auatere river was a sight neve r-tn-tie-forgo lien. A seething mass oi muddy water filled tile whole river-bed, hank to bank, running at a furious rate. Ibe lull extent of the damage has not yet . been ascertained, but a good deal of destruction is known lo have boon none to bridges. The approach to the Vie laidge is in a shaky condition. The main bridge in the Linklaier district was washed away, and tho small bridge in Culleiisville Road was damaged, and is unsafe for traffic. Many acres of line pasture is buried under the silt., in some places to a depth of two feet.

RAIN IN NORTH OTAGO. OAMMRU, May 11. Although other parts of the Dominion are sidle ring from the effects of Inure storms and Hoods, North Otago district has enjoyed a seasonable soaking rainfall, which is very welcome at this time of the year. ASHBURTON PUT OFF. CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. All road communication, with Ashburton is entirely cut oft, stated Mi llawkes, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association, this morning. Selwyn Ford, on the Main South Road, is still impassable, and the alternative n,ad by «ay nf Ellesmere Bridge cannot bo used owing in the approaches to Hie bridge being washed away. The only maans "f communication remaining is by the railway, which lias not vet been affected. EMPTYING KATAPOPS CELLARS. CHRISTCHURCH, May Kb Te-dav was essentialy "cleaning hay in Kaiapoi. The lire engine was employed in emptying the cellars. The authorities have cut several drains and drainim' lias reduced the flooding considerably. but it will be some weeks before tho water from the low-iving section gets away. Many families are still being accommodated ill private bouses, the leelmic*i] School, etc. and some families cannot possibly return to their homes tor some days. In the meantime they are being well-looked after. Provision has been made at die Woollen Mills and Freezing Murks toi tho drying of clothing, etc. Kaiapoi "Woollen Mills resumed operations to-dav in the carding, spuming, and milling departments, and it is expected Unit the rest of .the toup o ces ‘i), (>o able to start again on Monday. The work of getting Hood '' ater ““V 1 , the buildings was efficiently < a 1110(1 out bv the mill staff, since the wa-tm \ wprtpd it has been found that ih<taXf io Tool 00. l other ™».cri. « will not be so great as wa= anticipate L