PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 3075, 10 September 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press arsociation.l Dunedin, September 9. A heavier sea than has been known fur iroM'.v years was rolling into the mon'h of the harbor yesterday, but as the works at the Heads had stood the

test of a heavy sea three weeks ago, it WMS thought they would stand anything. This morning the piles at the outer portion which were unbraced became loose and the contractor’s pile driver, monkey, and tools fell into the water and are expected to be lost. The portable engine used was saved with difficulty. The completed portion stood well, and except the loss of machinery the damage consists of loosing of three lays of piles. Auckland, September 9. Detective Doolan leaves for Thames with Harcourt, the mines manager, brought back from Sydney per Waihora. - It is understood that further charges will be preferred. Timaru, September 9. The steamer Waitaki, which arrived from Greymouth to-day, experienced the full force of the north-easterly-gale off Banks Peninsula last night. One wave pooped her and stove in one of her boats, smashed the inside of the smoking room, and did other damage on deck. PROSPECTORS FOR BIG BAY. Wellington, September 9. The Minister of Mines expects that fully 170 prospectors will proceed in the Hinemoa to Big Bay. Gordon, Inspector of Mines, goes South tomorrow in order to see that no men are taken on board who are not fully equipped for the four to six months’ work they have to do. Mr Murray, a surveyor, will accompany the prospectors to survey blocks in the back woods. The Wellington contingent numbers ten. HALL REMOVED TO LYTTELTON GAOL. Timaru, September 9. Thos. Hall was taken from Timaru this morning by train, and lodged in Lyttelton gaol. This course has been adopted, it is understood, by order of the Minister of Justice, because the prisoner has been visited by a large number of people lately interfering with the discipline of the gaol. It is doubtful whether Mrs Hall will be sufficiently recovered to be examined on Tuesday. SEVERE FLOODS IN BLENHEIM. Blenheim, September 9. A heavy fresh in the Wairau River, after the recent continuous rain, caused one of the severest floods kuown in Blenheim for many years. The principal streets were two or three feet under water. The weather is still threatening, and the flood rising. The railway line between Opawa bridge, Blenheim, and Grovetown is washed away, and all traffic is suspended. The full extent of damage is not yet known. The flood is quite as high as that of 1868, and the Wairau is still rising. The shops are closed, and business is at a standstill. The water is breast high in some of the streets, and thiee to four feet deep in the centre of the town. Fears are entertained for the safety of the Spring Creek railway bridge,’ some of the piles having shifted. A large area of the country districts are under water, and there is a considerable loss of sheep, cattle, and horses. The Express was unable to publish to-day, the water having put out the fires. This circumstance never occurred before. The strong rooms of the bank are inundated, and boats are rowing in the principal streets. The full extent of the damage is not yet known. The flood in the market-place rose 12 inches in four hours. There is no railway communication, parts of the line being washed away. Families are being removed in boats from private houses, and taken to hotels.