FLOOD DAMAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1930, Page 4

FLOOD DAMAGE.

\ ■ , ■ CANTERBURY CROPS SPOII/T. f; RAILWAY AND ROADS AFFECTED (By Telegraph—Per Tress Association.) ■■■ CHIUSTCtTUBiOH, Jan. 16. ' Floods resulting from continuous min of the last few days have caused heavy damage in all parts of Canterbury. Crops, both standing and cut, have suffered extensively. Losses of stock are reported from Alid-Can tc'Tury.N Oats in stook and grass cut for hay and seed are total losses. . , , ~ Large areas of wheat and oats, the straw of which has been softened by a long wet spell, are laid flat. L . A strong wind, or more rain, fjreatly increase' the damage, from the likelhood of smut and ctV eal fungoids appearing. . • Late sowings of turnips are ruined. Traffic is held up in all directions, the most serious blockage being on the Midland Railways, with five washouts between Springfield and Arthur s Pass. The roads in every district . have been damaged and many are impassable.

WASHOUT ON MAIN ROAD. RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD. ASHBURTON, Jan. 16A gap eighty feet long by ten feet deep is ■ cut in the main south, road ijty the overflowing of the Ashburton River yesterday. The sun is shining to-day hut the rivers in the country are still in high flood. V Many, cars took a big risk in crossing water on the road yesterday ana-, as the metal , was washing away be-: ncath the wheels, several had nairow escares from being swept to deep water. Passengers in a service car became terrified when in the middle of the flood and they demanded the driver to return. He did so, dropped the passengers and ; went across safely with a margin of only a few inches outside the wheels and the sunken road alongside. The main road is still deep under water but through traffic will be able to negotiate by evening. Meanwhile the railway is conveying passengers by cars past the gap.