FLOODS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 768, 27 September 1878, Page 2

FLOODS.

THE WAITAKI. A gentleman who has returned from up-country, informs us that the Waihtki River has risen to such an extent, and so suddenly, that it has inundated the lowlying country on its banks, and carried away a large number of lambs and sheep which were grazing on the same. Old settlers assert that the river has not been so high for twenty years. Instead of the clear stream which usually rolls down within something like the denned limits, there is now a broad dirty-lookiug torrent, which is rendered so angry by the high wind that it is more like a sea than a river. If it continues to rise at its pre sent rate for the next 24 hours, we maj expect to hoar that the bridge has suffered in no small degree. So powerful a body of water coming into contact with a bridge of such a span would certainly give the hitter a severe shaking. Since writing the above, through the courtesy of Mr. Moore (of Messrs. Lees and Moore), we are enabled to give the following further particulars : : ' Mr M'lvor, Messrs Lees and Moore's Clarkesnekl Manager, reports that lastnight the Waitaki had reached the girders of the centre of the bridge, and that, it was higher than it has ever been know;; to he since the arrival of the earliest setters. The reason of the centre of the bridge being touched, and not the ends, is, probably, that the current beiiiL: stronger there, the waves or ripples are higher than the actual water level. . «> THE RANGITATA. This river is performing its old tricks, and seems disinclined to keep itself within the limits of its channel. Yesterday it overflowed its banks, and submerged a considerable portion of the railway tine, washing away the ballast. The •South has not fared so badly as the North Rangitatn bridge, which is rendered completely useless. Some of the piles are hanging loose, and the bridge is swinging to and fro without any restraint. The running of the trains has b en sadly interfered with, and it is rumored that it will lie months before uninterrupted traffic will be resumed.