THE FLOODS IN THE SOUTH ISLAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5710, 18 July 1879, Page 3

THE FLOODS IN THE SOUTH ISLAND.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Christchurch, June 3 >.

As the accounts of Saturday’s floods come in from the country districts, it appears that the damage done has been very great and general. At East Malvern the water-race has been injured to the extent of £1590. The formation of the railway extension from Sheffield to the Kowai Pass has been swept away in mauy places. On the main road to Akaroa not a bridge or culvert is left uninjured. Miles of fencing have been destroyed in various parts. The railways are greatly damaged in so many places that it would be tedious to give details. It is now raining again heavily, and a message from Amberley states that there is every prospect of a flood there to-night. Accounts of a very heavy flood come from the Akaroa district. All the roads are more or less damaged, and a number of bridges have been carried away. Numerous landslips have occurred, one of which killed a young man. Timauu, Juno 30.

Fearful floods occurred in this district yesterday and to-day. Heavy rain was falling from Saturday morning till Sunday afternoon, and off and on to-day. Yesterday part of the Temuka and Washdyke townships were several feet deep in water, and boats had to be sent from Timaru to take people out of the houses. A number of narrow escapes are reported. The whole of the leve country was one sheet of water, but during the night the lagoon burst, and to-day the river greatly subsided. The railway traffic is entirely suspended. Several bridges and a great deal of formation has been washed away. For several days there have been no mails of any sort, and no communication but by telegraph. Every effort is being made to repair the railway line, but the weather is still threatening. -No loss of life is reported by the floods, but a great loss of stock in the Waimea district. Messrs. Blackett and Blair and Lowe, railway engineers, are here at present, and are in active communication with the other parts of the island. TimarU, July 1.

The floods are rapidly subsiding, and mail communication with Christchurch and Oamaru is expected to re-open to-morrow. The trains will not run for a day or two, and communication with the up-country districts is almost entirely suspended, Christchurch, July 1. Thefloodshaveinjured the newly-coustrueted water-race at Malvern to the extent of £I2OO or £ISOO. The Akaroa and Wainui Road Board will suffer to the extent of some thousands of pounds by the loss of bridges and injury to the road by Saturday night's gale and floods. The Peninsula has not been visited by such floods within the memory of the oldest French residents. The floods up country are decreasing. There was a heavy rain last night. Dunedin, July 1. The damage by heavy rain has not been very great in Dunedin. Owing to the improved drainage arrangements, not much loss has been experienced, but in the suburbs and country districts things are very bad. Railway communication north and south is interrupted, and a great part of the Taieri is under water, especially between Outram and Melton. From Milton to Invercargill, however, the line is clear. Invercargill, July 1. All the Invercargill railways are open, and the trains run as usual, no floods having occurred. The express train for the North got no further than Clinton to-day, thence returningat the usual hour. We have been favored by Mr. N. W. Weny, Under-Secretary for Railways, with a copy of the following telegrams, which have been received from Mr, Conyers, Commissioner of Railways for the Middle Island : —■ " Christchurch, June 30, 1879. “ Floods in Christchurch districts serious, much damage ; but particulars cannot be known until water subsides. Traffic suspended north of Kaiapoi and south of Selwyn. In Dunedin district there has been heavy and continuous rain since Friday morning, and up to yesterday evening showed no signs of abatement. On Port Chalmers line near Logan’s Point a heavy slip took place just as train was passing. Engine much damaged ; line rendered impassable. Armstrong had gone to another bad slip on North line, near upper part. No further particulars. “ Will wire again as soon as I obtain further facts. “Wk. Conters, n..:i» ~J “To the Hon. Minister for Public Works, Wellington.” “ Christchurch, July 1, 1879. “ Dunedin section the rain has flooded the line in several places, causing considerable damage. Communication between Dunedin and Oamaru entirely suspended. Line Dunedin to Port Chalmers now clear. South line clear as far as Greytown, between that and Waihola a perfect sea, from Waihola to Clinton line clear. On Lawrence branch heavy slips at Roundhill tunnel, and about eight yards of line washed away at Manuka. Bridge on Outram branch broken and sinking under strain. Every effort is being made to resume traffic. “ W. Conters, “ Commissioner of Railways. “ To the Hon. Minister for Public Works, Wellington.”