THE FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5473, 11 October 1878, Page 3

THE FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

The following telegrams were read in the House on the evening of September 27th by the Hon. Mr.’ Maoandrew : Christchurch, 27th September, 9 a.ra.-—The Raugitata protective works were carried away last night, but turned the main flood off south bank first,, consequently no, damage .done south of river. In the Raugitata north bridge several piers are damaged; no trusses lost yef. The flood is still rising. In the Rakaia the flood extends from bank to bank, but no damage so far, and river falling. Every preparation being made to repair the line as soon as possible.— W. Conyers. Kaiapoi, September 27,12.15 p.m.—There are floods in the Waimakairfri, and land in the town is going down the river by acres. Buildings and wall have to be removed. All caused by obstruction on railway bridge."—J. W. Ellen. (PER PRESS AGENCY.) Rebkton, September 28. . The rivers are still flooded here, and rain continues with no immediate prospect of a cessation. A large number of Supreme Court suitors and witnesses are awaiting the first opportunity to proceed down the country ; but there is little chance of travelling being possible before Monday or Tuesday next at the earliest. Hokitika, September 28. There has been a continuance of most severe weather all the week. The steamer Waipara is supposed to be in shelter at Jackson’s Bay. The rivers are heavily flooded. All traffic inland is stopped. No Christchurch coach has arrived since last Saturday. October 1. Tho Christchurch coach has just arrived, after an eight days’ journey. The driver reports all the rivers heavily flooded. The coach upset in one river and three horses were drowned. The passengers had a narrow escape. The Chief Justice, the Judge’s associate, and other passengers are still at the Pass, and will not reach here before to-morrow night. Some of the passengers’ luggage was lost, but the mails arrived safely. Christchurch, September 27. The damage to the north lino at Chiaoy’s corner will bo repaired on Monday. At the Bangltata bridge passengers on foot crossed to-day, and if the wind lulls the work of repairs will begin to-night late. September 30.

Telegraphic communication with the South has been restored, after four days’ interruption.

The mails from the south were on Saturday conveyed across the damaged portion of the Rangitata Bridge in a trolly, but the railway authorities state that until repairs are completed the risk will be so great that they will not undertake the conveyance of passengers. It will probably be Thursday before repairs are completed. r Great damage is being done north of Christchurch, and many parts of Kaiapoi are completely under water. ’ * Another hot wind is now blowing. At Kaiapoi the river has subsided, but is expected to rise again to-night, and if so the railway repairs now being made will be destroyed. The Mayor is said to have telegraphed to the Government giving notice that unless a passage is made through the line at Irishman’s Flat those interested will take the matter in hand, and it is presumed will force a breach.

, October 1. The repairs to the Rangitata bridge are expected to be completed by to-morrow, when the through traffic from Christchurch to Dunedin will be resumed. To-day the passengers on arrival at the bridge left the trains and crossed on foot, afterwards getting into the trains waiting at each end of the bridge. October 2. The threat of cutting a channel through the railway at Irishman’s Flat was not carried out. The water is now going down. Ddnedin,, September 30.

Later telegrams from the country confirm the accounts of the great damage done by floods.

Tho Dunedin train to-day could not proceed beyond Lovell’s Plat in consequence of the rise of the Kaitaugata Lake. Four miles of the railway were under water at noon. Ho deaths are reported so far. The following telegrams have been received : —Cromwell, September 29th, 5 p.m.:— The flood was renewed by tho rain of last night. There has been an awful destruction to property; horses, cattle, houses, and furniture have been drifting past all day. The Clyde, Bannockburn, and Bendigo bridges have gone ; CrormVoll bridge is just safe unless the flood increases. The water has risen to the top of the piers. Ho lives are reported lost, but communication is interrupted in every direction. The dwellings on Block 9in Cromwell are in immediate danger. Roxburgh, September 29th, 5 p.m. The river has been rising all day. About halfpast three a portion of the Clyde bridge came in contact with the Roxburgh bridge, causing it to show signs of giving way. About this time the river rose more rapidly, and the space under Jhe «.cch is closing up, causing the bridge to catch a large quantity of timber coming down the stream. At i o'clock the bridge broke in the centre, going away like a large ship. Everything possible was done that could be thought of by the townspeople to save the bridge. There was a very heavy fall of rain. Although it looked bad all day, the weather has been fine. A man named Philip Myhea, while in the act of removing his belongings out of a house which was in danger of being flooded, dropped dead.

Alexandra, September 29, 6 p.m.—We have had a tremendous flood to-day. The Clutha is 7ft. higher than tho. greatest height ’ ever reached on Thursday, and is still rising, the water is just touching Tbeyr's store. Considerable alarm is felt for the safety of the township. The river is covered with wreck of all descriptions. The wreck of the Clyde bridge passed here at 11.30 a.m. October 1. The water has slightly subsided at Lovell's Flat, but the line from there to Balclutha is still under water. October S. The following aie later telegrams frogi the country districts : Queenstown, October 0, —Tho weather has been gradually clearing up since Tuesday, and there is every appearance now, of lasting fine weather. The floods are very severely felt in various parts of the district at the head of the lakes. Some people had to retire to the ranges. It is reported that all the houses at Kingston, except the railway station, have been washed away. ■ Cromwell, October s.—The road from here to the lake is impassable. Owens (Arrow Binff) is completely swept away. All tho roads in the district, especially from Roaring Meg upwards, are in a frightful state. . Clyde, September 28. The river is rapidly falling. The Clyde bridge is not so much damaged ns was feared, and a few hundred pounds will suffice for its repair. On account of the Alexandra punt wires being broken and the damage to the bridge there is no communication between the Clyde and Alexandra, or Teviot and Queenstown. The floods in the stream are subsiding, but the lake is very high, and rising slightly. The weather is still unsettled, with occasional showers. Immense land-slips have occurred, and much damage has been done to the roa.ds throughout the whole district, as many culverts have been carried away. The lower Shotover bridge is comparati /ely uninjured, and is again passable. No down country mails have arrived since Tuesday via Dunedin or Kingston, Lawkbnce, September 28. The Molyneux is falling gradually. No further damage has been done, to the Beaumont bridge, and it is safe for traffic. September 30.

The Beaumont Bridge. 12 miles from here, was completely carried away yesterday afternoon. Tho bridge was private prop erty. Cromwell, September 23. It is still raining heavily up country and all round, and the rivers are again rising. Great fears are entertained for the safety of the new bridge over the Clutba, at Eocky Point. The wires of the punt at Alexandra arc carried awify, and traffic is conducted by boats. Gangs of men are engaged between hero and Arrow repairing the roads, which will occupy some days. The Clyde bridge is said to be safe, although it will cost a good deal to put it right again. Tho weather is miserable and threatening. 7 Balclutha, September 20. At 11.30 a.m. the river was overflowing its banks. Gangs of men have been at work all the morning to prevent the river getting into tho township, bat it is now getting the mastery and -flowing upon the streets in the lower portion of the town, Tho river is expected to rise 1 considerably higher during tho day, A largo' portion of Inch Clntha and the lowlying ground is already under water. At 8.11 p.m. all the principal streets were simply rivers. Tho water in ,some places was up to the saddlc-filaps. The river was still rising at that time. The weather is warm, Xho In-

habitants are all in good.humor, aud are assist’ ing each other. ,' V September 28.-

At 11.35 the water was rushing into the township, the 'Post Office being surrounded, .and a strong current flowing past. The gardens were flooded, and the inhabitants were moving their property to a place of safety. At a quarter-past two o’clock a great portion of the township was-under water. The main street was like a river, and the Post. Office has been inaccessible since noon. Tho inhabitants were still., moving their goods, furniture, &c., to places of safety. The. river is still rising. Inch Clutha was nearly submerged, and also much of the surrounding land. The ordinary channel of the river was obliterated, October 1. The flood is' subsiding, but very slowly. Everybody here is safe now. There are over a hundred people in the Crown Hotel, which is almost the only place on Balclutha Flat inhabitable just now. The floors of the National • and New South Wales. Banks and the offices of the New Zealand Lean and Mercantile Agency and .of Mr. Christie, the commission agent, are dry. ' Many lives were saved by really gallant rescuers. A man and his wife were in s *-a' house which 1 floated down the river and over part of the island for a distance of nearly seven miles. Everybody is doing his utmost to render assistance to those in distress. The settlers on the ridges are very hospitable, and deserve special mention for thoir many kindnesses. On the island at Inch Clutha, so far as is known, everybody has been saved. A large quantity of cattle got on to the high laud. The damage done is incalculable. Kaitangata and Sterling have suffered severely. The water was over a foot deep in tho telegraph office here, but the telegraphist stuck to his post throughout, although at one time apparently the room was likely to be untenable, The weather is now fine, but the high wind is keeping the river up. The worst is believed to be over. The Molyneux has been flooded over six days, October 8. Tho township is still under water, the average being two feet deep. Only three dwellinghouses aro gone, but several buildings are undermined and in great danger. One small store was washed away, one fancy goods shop was washed into tho street, and also a blacksmith’s shop. Gravel and mud-pits are formed in the streets and gardens; fences are broken down and washed away. The current is very strong in some parts. The streets are full of large holes, making them extremely unsafe for horses. A man and horse went completely out of sight in a hole to-day; both were ultimately rescued. Sand spits, &c., prevent boats plying. Only a few families remain in town, almost all tho rest have gone to the neighboring settlers. The railway is much damaged. The station buildings are still standing, but are undermined. Both bridges are safe. Inch Clutha, Stirling, and Kaitangata are all submerged, The greater part of the stock is saved as yet, but is in. a very precarious position. No human lives have been lost. The river has fallen very little. October 5. The water has fallen 4J inches since last night, and is still falling slowly. Boats have been plying all day to the south side of the township, so that through communication is now open. Ono rider into the township from the south went into several boles, and had to swim. His horse and he parted in a large hole at the top of Gordon-street, but both were saved. Several similar accidents have occurred. A few of the inhabitants have returned, but only very few will remain over the Sabbath. Great dissatisfaction is felt throughout the whole district in consequence of the detention here of the mails for the last 10 days. Postal communication with Port Molyneux, Puerurua, Waitepaka, Waipa, Kaihaku, Waiwera, aud the south has been suspended without any cause. Boats are plying easily to the south side of the township, aud the mails need never have been detained a quarter of an hour here. It is the half-yearly balance with some of the banks, and bills have been dishonored on fourth of the • month, and other engagements not met, while remittances are kept in the post offices. Plenty of boats aud boatmen are ready ;to convey mails across if asked. The river is still falling slowly, but a great part of the township is still under water, aud a strong current is tunning across. When the water retires, the whole township will be left covered with silt to a considerable depth. Immense holes, some supposed to be 20ft. deep, arc in the streets in many places, and it is exceedingly dangerous to move about till the water is off.

Alexander Davidson, coal merchant, was drowned in a hole at the corner o; Barr and James streets at nino o'clock this morning. Three other men were with him, but could not save him. Parties have been searching for the body all day, but have been unsuccessful, Davidson is married, and leaves a widow and family. The other two men were seen to be washed away with the current in the street, but were saved. Several other narrow escapes have occurred. Very few: inhabitants have returned to the township yet. Conyers and Armstrong have been here today inspecting the line. It is believed they have decided to pile instead of embank the whole line past the township. Incholutha is still under water. October 8. Ths township is gradually getting cleared of water. Horsemen can now get safely out of the township in both directions. Business generally has been resumed, and the greater portion of the inhabitants have returned to their houses. Hone of the district mails were despatched .this afternoon, which causes great dissatisfaction and surprise. The postmaster said lie will not send them until vehicles can convey them out of the township, and this may be some time. Tijubu, October 2. Traffic was resumed across the Rangitata bridge to-day by the through train from Christchurch to Dunedin passing over it safely. The Waitaki River rose another 18 inches yesterday, but is now falling, and no further damage is reported. October 4. News to hand from the McKenzie country shows that the floods there recently have been higher than were over known since the district was discovered 20 years age. Tekapo Lake was so high on Monday last that Richmond’s station house on the east side was submerged, and Cowan’s on the Peninsula Buffered serious damage, and had to be abandoned. At the ferry there was a stream of water -Ift. deep running through the wooished, and the ferryman’s boat was carried away by, it. The water here is at least 12ft. higher than was ever known before. The, Pukaka rose, 15ft., and having burst its banks formed' a wide river bed. The stream worked round the moorings and anchor poles at the ferry, carrying them and two boats away. The floods in the Ohnu District were very considerable, but no definite accounts have ns yet been received. . Oaiiaeu, October 2.

Mr. James Mitchell, a surveyor, who for some time past has been engaged in surveying Lakaterama, was drowned yesterday in one of the overflows of the Upper Waitaki River, He was riding down to North Waitaki railway station, accompanied by another gentleman who was driving a buggy. In going through one of the overflows the latter gentleman became alarmed, and then took the buggy, giving his horse tif tiis companion ; but the buggy soou afterwards overturned. Mr. Mitchell was unable to swim, and was drowned. The other gentleman was washed off his horse, but being a good swimmer was; enabled to reach land. Mr. Mitchell has two brothers in this district.