Great Floods in Christchurch.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1711, 18 May 1886, Page 2

Great Floods m Christchurch.

(UNITED.. PRESS ASSOCIATION. J

. Chkistchubch, Monday. Saturday's flood was tlie most severe ever experienced m Christchurch, not excepting the great flood of 1868, for that, was confined to localities affected by the river, whereas this was general. The rainfall, for. the 48 hours gave a total of B'B7in. The Avon rose/ about 4tt m town and 18 inches from the floor of some of .the bridges. In the northeastern fipartj of the city of city, a large number of families had to be ,re> moved from their houses, some of which were flooded three feet.^deep. Carte sent by the City Council and boats were busy all morning m rescuing these? Deople. In the south-eastern part of the? city, round the Catholic Church, the rain, water formed a lake several acres m extent. Traffic on the Ferry-road was entirely stopped, the fires of the tramway engines being put. out by the water. Many residents of Woolston had to leav* their houses, one man named Cord being, rescued after he had passed the night on the roof of his house. At Bin the morn* ing the water extinguished the "fires of the engines at the drainage pumping-, works.: No : serious damage to the sewers, however, ha* been reported. The railway lines were not interrupted;, except at Xittie 'River, where the 'main bridge on the Akaroa road- was swept away. At Governor's Bay a house be. loneing to Mr William. Cowlin wag shifted, by a land slip, and completely wrecked. "