WAIMAKARIRI BURSTS BANK.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1925, Page 3

WAIMAKARIRI BURSTS BANK.

large area flooded. RIVER NOW SUBSIDING. BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN'., COPYRIGHT CHRISTCHURCH, Dee. 5. i With the melting of the snow on the ranges by the nor’-westers the volume of water in the Waimakariri River increased considerably yesterday and late in the afternoon the river burst its hanks and flooded a large area of land. The river broke through a new protective hank which was erected last year from AYbite’s bridge to the Belfast Hotel. The break in the banks was discovered by Air A. N. "Wilson and bis son. The tremendous body of water proved too strong for these two men and they bad to give up then attempt to -save the district from flooding. About half past four the water crossed the main road, which was soon impassable and at five o’clock it was running over the decking of White's Bridge, an occurrence that has not happened for many years past. Between Belfast and Chaneys the water lay on the road to a depth of three feet six inches. All the farmers in the locality suffered severe losses through their hay being swept away anil their grass spoilt. Many crops have been ruined, hut the stock was removed to high land. Early this morning the waters were subsiding.