THE FLOODS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1731, 18 April 1882, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

After a good spell of dry weather, rain set in on Sunday evening last, and has continued up to the time we write almost without intermission. Last night it came down in torrents. The Teremaknu was in hi«h flood from bank to bank, and all creek* and water-courses indicated the general character of the weather in adjacent places As a matter of course Ruga's coach did not pro ceed this morning, f -.x it would have been the height of folly to expect to cross the Waiuihinihis, if indeed, it were possible to get any further than what is best known as "Old John's" accommodation hon.se, about three miles beyond Good fellow's. The mail coach from Hokitika also it is said did not proceed any farther than the Kawhaka, its first stage. Communication from Gey mouth by tram was completely cut off this morning, the tram-bridge at Nelson Creek having been swept away, leaving a gap of nearly 100 yards. The mails from either side were in consequence returned, and, Mr MacDeimott. the postmaster, informs us, were despatched again at half-past three o'clock this afternoon, with additional despatches. Nearer home we find a serious ! calamity has happened on the new road ! from First street to the Teremakau bridge. Quinn'a Creek, which runs parallel with the road for many chains (and for three or four chains higher than the road itself!) broke through on to the road last night, and made sad havoc of the surface scooping out the soil, making deep gutters here and there right across the road for several chains, and eventually making a deep and dangerous fissure near the high wooden culvert. The Borough Surveyor estimates that it will cost £6O to repair the damages, and making the road safe. And the end is probably not yet, as the ' work of destruction is still going on, a water-fall of seven to ten feet being left which is gradually making its way into the road. A meeting of the Public Works Committee of the Borough was held this afternoon, to consider the matter,, as it was only at the last meeting of the Council (on the 6th inst.) that " the Mayor reported that the District Engineer had formally handed over to him the worfe lately finished by the Government in First street f and, " on the motion of Or. Campbell, seconded by Cr. Anderson, the report was adopted." We await with some concern for the burgesses to hear how the road was " formally handed over,' r without the Borough Surveyor knowing anything about it, for surely he is the person through whom the " handing over" should have passed. Speing that there are running streams ©f water flowing out from the sidelings of the road, there should have been culverts at least every two chaius. And trees whose roots have been partially Gut away wttb the making, of the

road are left standing within a few feet of the cutting to come down hereafter, in lnimepse slips ancl to cbnipletely block the road. The road is not safe for than or beast. At the meeting of the Public Works Committee this-afternoon, it was resolved to make the old Zigzag rosi available for traffic.