FLOOD DAMAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1925, Page 3

FLOOD DAMAGE.

Owing to the interruptions on the railway near Staircase Gully, the express was not to leave Christchurch fill 12.30 to-day, and there will be no mails arriving at Hokitika to-night as n result. AT GRKYMorm. 'I be containing capacity of all the lower reaches and tributaries of the Grey River has been fully taxed during the westerly storm that has prevailed. and the spectacle around the town yesterday morning was a remarkable one. 'flic area, adjacent to the Lagoons, were all under water: while the main stream was itself within a ef feet of the level of the wharf, and therefore dangernnslv near the margin at which an overflow into the town occur.-.. The lower lying streets in the vicinity of Victoria Park gave evidence of tho abnormal conditions, water backing up above the level of the footpath in several places, and in some instances in Roiindury Street covering the road as well. Grey mouth yesterday afternoon presented the appearance of a waterlogged town. Many streets in lilaketown were under water, while the flood waters found their wav to numerous streets in the borough, particularly Mackey Street, Guinness, Herbert and Leonard Street, and other thoroughfares adjacent to the river front. For a time yesterday, it was doubtful if the Park would he lit for the big Rugby League match to bo played on, and although the water surrounded the playing green, and plunks had to tic provided to enable spectators to cross

dry shod from the track to the field, nothing of further note happened. ' FLOODS AND GALES, The plight of country residents was immeasuralily worse than that of the town dwellers. Goal Greek flat being completely under water, ami no road traffic being possible between Runatiga and Greyinnufh. The road between Stillwater and Kamaka was last evening under six feet of water, and all traffic has been disorganised. A washout occurred yesterday on the railway line at Avnea. one mile ol line being affected. The Blackball railway bridge

is in a precarious condition, one span of the structure swinging, and it is not known yet whether it has broken away from its foundations. The Blackball mine was idled yesterday. The automatic signalling apparatus bet ween Stillwater and Otiru was again thrown out ot action. Owing to the failure of the automatic signalling apparatus, slumping operalinos at stations between Stillwater and Otira arc impossible. Four extra passenger -cars were scot to Otira. with the hope that they could he run to Avoea this morning to accommodate passengers from Christchurch, who will tic brought on to Grevmnuth.

Last night the flood waters in the Grev River began to recede and no further danger is anticipated. AT OTIRA. One of the wildc-l days ami nights ever experienced at Otira were those on Tuesday, when the wind was so tierce that O'Malley’s Terminus Hotel (two storeys high) fairly rocked. Tho gusts of wind combined wi(h a veritable deluge of rain and hail, made it a night to he remembered by all who slept there oil Tuesday. The roaring wind. Hashes of lightning, and continual peals of thunder added to the awfillness of tlie night. Much damage was done |o automatic signals, the night staff having a trying time of it. Up to !) a.m. this morning, no less than ten inches ol rain was recorded for the preceding 21 horns. WASHOUT AT STAIRCASE.

Two and a halt miles o! washout at Staircase Gully is reported, thus there were no trains to Christchurch yesterday. TELEGRAPH INTERRUPTION. Yesterday the telegraphic -civile was at a stand-till lor some l tine. In the carlv morning tho into- between Hokitika and Caolorhun were reported “lost” by the Telegraph Office, and from II a.m. press messages ceased (o be available lor the rest ol Hie dav. The blow out of loses at Otira was a contributory factor. The break in the lines was located at Turawhati, where the road was blocked. About midday yesterday one line was restored on the overland route, hut it took till a late hour last night for the stall to clear away the delayed commercial messages, and tlie press service consequently suffered. Between the Inangahtta Junction and the l.yell the wires were contacting, hut the Westport ollice was able yesterday to regain communication with Nelson, so that the northern route was available in a limited degree for local communication. There was, however, a break in the lines between Christchurch nod Kaikonrn, causing more dislocation. The lines in Westland were working all right yesterday. THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

There was practically no interruption vosterday in the M est (oast railway services, except that due to (he automatic signalling breakdown ; but it was apprehended hist night that tiie express might he unable to run to-day. owing to the dateage to the lino at Avoca. However, word was received last night that the express will be run to-day, but it will be subject to a. delay of three hours or so tar as the arrival of the oxoross at this end is concerned. The (rain left hero at the usual time this morning, but the train from Christchurch will not depart till about 12.30 p.m. Tills arrangement will result in the two trains reaching the scene of the washout aj the same time ; ,nd the passengers will transfer from one to the other. RAIN AND SNOW INLAND. Latest advices last night were to the effect that at Otira the rain was still heavv. while there was snow tailing ai Arthur’s Pass, where three inches were thtm recorded. The lilackball-Ngahere railway bridge one of the piers of which is dislocated, will he closed to traffic all day to-day between 7 a.in. and b p.m. to allow oi repairs being vheeted. The stoppage ol work yesterday at the Blackball mine was due partly to flooding ami partly to the bridge accident .

inangahua damage. RKEETON. September 23

The heavy rain of the past few da vs flooded all streams in the county ol Inniignlum, ami caused much damage to bridges ami roads. An estimate is not vet possible, luosday night mis very stormy, the Inattgahua River in town running bank high. Iwo spans of the I tiaiigah’.ia Junction Bridge have been washed away. The water is four feef deep oil the road at Hawke’s Crag, and ten feet deep tit Berlins. The Westport-Nolson tu's were unable in make the oittrney.

151(1 DULLER FLOOD. WESTPORT. September 23

Rain, snow and hail, which have been falling during the last two weeks in the Duller District, culminated today in the heaviest flood in file LtilU t River since the record “Old Mail flood in 190(5. As showing the rapidity with which the river rose the steamer Canopus worked the bar at two o clock this morning. Reports from up country state that very heavv damage has already been done. There was nine feet of water over the Duller Gorge road at Hawke’s Crag this morning. One spnrt of the temporary bridge at

the Inangnhua Junction has been washed away, and the timber was seen to pass down the river from the Westport wharf. Mr Lines and bis family, who reside at lnangabua Junction, oil a lowlying piece of land near the bridge, are marooned, there being 12 feet ot water between them and dry ground. A boat is being used to bring them to safety.

Coming nearer to Westport, the water lias broken through the overflow. Mr X. Archer’s farm being badly affected, and a number of cattle have been drowned. Roseilli’s farm is also Hooded, nod the stock are marooned, with losses. Some of the dairy and cattle tanners in the flooded areas arc (lilting the wires of the fences to save the stock from being drowned. . A number of animals have already been caught in the fencing.

All the service cars had to turn hack at the Loopline Creek Bridge, which was under water. Slips are reported no Iho Boiler Gorge and it will lie some days before l he road is normal again. Mr Laurenson, Public Works Knee cer, left this morning for Tekuha. where tlie railway works are threatened. Large trees and debris of all sorts were racing down the river this morning and at Dixon’s farm, drowned stock are stranded along the fences, the lines of the road being out of sight. There is a very big sea on the bar, and all the ships in port are tied up with wire ropes and anchor chains.