HEAVY FLOODS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 237, 3 September 1884, Page 2

HEAVY FLOODS.

A DISASTROUS VISITATION.

' It would seem that a repetition of the flood oi four years ago has visited the district. The heavy and almost incessant rains during the last fortyeight hours have raised all the rivers to flood level, the consequence being . that half the country is under water. .Railway coniniunication between Foxton and Palmerj«ton is altogether suspended, as just beyond Jackey town the line is submerged, and a number of cattle have taken up theirquarterT on the permanent way, and decline to move. The Manawatu is bank high, and running m a turbulent current. The low-lying land round- about Mr Batchelar's is under' water, and it is feared the loss of stock has been considerable. Between Bunny tborpe and Feilding the whole country ia under water, the road and railway bridges and culverts being ■ just awash. In Feildiug a large bridge m Warwick-street has been carried away, and many of tbe streets are under water, which has i cut off all pedestrian communication • with the railway station. The, stiUionmaster's house was flooded, with several other -dwellings. The-. Awahuri bridge was standing at noon, but it was not expected to withstand the tetrible force of the current, which was increasing m • volume m every minute. The wire at ' the Lower Ferry is carried away, and the punt cannot be worked. There is a heavy slip on the Ashuist Eoad, ■. which, will stop all vehicle traffic. The road m front of the cemetery, past the brewery, and near Mi* McNeil's house, is under water, and from Rangitikei Line to Bunnythorpe has m some places from seven to eight feel- • of water on it, the current running very swiftly. On the Okoia and Matarawa flats, near Wahganui, the - railway line is partially submerged, though not to so great an extent as a year ago. Near Kakariki, the new formation recently made by the Manchester jßoad Board has sustained serious damage, a large portion being carried away, there being a wide : breach through it. The Makinp stream has overflowed its banks, And is the cause of the floods m Feilding,, which are entirely unprecedented m their extent and so verity. The afternoon tram to b'oxton had to return, and it is feared there will be a complete suspension of communication for some days, as considerable damage to the permauent way is expected to have occurred. The Oroua is not yet m high flood, but is vapidly rising. Immense trees are floating seaward on the .Manawatu, and some apprehensions are enttreained for the safety of the bridge. Coach traffic to Woodville is also entirely suspended. On the Raugibikei Line the water is • flowing right through several of the houses. Altogether the flood ap- ■■['■■ pears to be of a very serious character. Further intelligence as to its effects ;. is awaited with much anxiety., , . Later. The water on the railway line has risen upwards of four feet since morning 1 .. The , Foxton-Oamoryan- tram-* : way is supposed to have sustained considerable jdaru age. Stoney -Greek has never lieen known so high before, and some of the ienoes near Mr Paul's __ are entirely covefeU. . - " : Latest. Just as we go to press we learn that the approach on the south side of the; Fuzherbert Bridge has been washed away, leaving a wide and deep hole and entirely cutting off - communication.