TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 782, 14 October 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON.

October 12. At the Rifle Association's third meeting the rules were further considered, and those intended for the guidance of members at the meeting at Nelson next January were passed. The rules were cast upon the Wimbledon model. It was decided to have a cavalry tournament similar to that at Wanganui, and also, if funds would permit, an artillery competition.

CHRISTCHURCH

October 12. Telegraphic communication received by the railway authorities this morning convey disastrous intelligence from the Waimakiriri, which is Higher than it has been known to be for a l(.ng time. Half a mile of line is under water, and it is feared it has broken through at Irishman's Flat, but nothing is yet known for certain. People were watching the embankment with great anxiety last night, fearing it would burst. If it had, the result would have been a great calamity, as the town of Kaiapoi is from 3 to 7 feet below the level of the water. At 5 o'clock the fire-bell rang to alarm the people to rise, and every man that could use a shovel turned out to patch the embankment. At 10 a.m. the mail-man was unable to cross the road on horseback, although a very daring man. At a meeting of the general Committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association last evening, te arrange about the Australian tour of the Canterbury Eleven, it was resolved not to play the Invercargill Eighteen on the ground that the time at their disposal would not allow. It was resolved to play at Bendigo and Tasmania if time allowed. During the meeting it was stated that a challenge might be expected from the Otago cricketers on the return of the team. It was said that the expenses of the trip would be LSOO, and one gentleman present said he was himself prepared to guarantee L 250. A public meeting will be held on the subject next week, October 14. The total amount of the beer .duty collected in Christchurch since the financial statement was made is L 1305 lis 9d, the whole of which amount will be refunded by the Collector of Customs on Thursday next, in conseauence of the withdrawal of the Beer Duty Bill The Crown Prosecutor thinks that an indictment will lie against the man Dempsey for manslaughter. He will therefore be prosecuted by the police. The floods have been very disastrous at Kaiapoi and the surrounding Country. Railway traffic across the bridge is entirely suspended, and many townships are cut off from communication wjsh the outer worlds On

the South line all communication has closed at North Rangitata bridge. The express from here does not proceed beyond Ashburton. It is said through traffic will be resumed on Saturday. AUCKLAND. October 12. The Diocesan Synod resolved to establish a "Selwyn Memorial," the objects are to found a Chaplaincy for ministering to gaols, hospitals, lunatic asylums, and old people's refuge. One subscriber promised LIOO. , «, BALCLUTHA. October 12. The river rose during last night, and the township to-day is in much the same condition as on the 4th. Strong currents are running, and channels are forming through the township. M'Neill's house on the river bank is now half into the river, and must go shortly. A strong gale has been blowing all day. " The river is not. expected to rise higher to-night. Almost all the inhabitants have left the town.

October 14, 2 p.m. - - -iter in the township has not risen igh as the flood of a fortnight ago. ; streets and an equal extent of the i were covered, but not to the same The Clutha Leader office, Crown ..<. i+.erion Hotel, and several other gs have not been flooded, The water falling slowly, and getting away into .ew channels commenced at the last , which are widening and deepening. . additional'damag? occurred so far as is eiown,

r r, Armstrong (Engineer) and Mr. Grant (Manager of Railways), and a number of gentlemen from Dunedin have been here by special tr.jn, and inspected the wreck at the railway line and station. The largest viaduct across the lower reserve of the township is rapidly giving way. A large gang of workmen are at work all day with an engine attempting to save the large embankment next the bridge. It is believed they will i succeed. It is reported that the railway station will probably be removed from the present site to high ground at the end of Lamach-street, but nothing has been decided upon, There are several very large channels through present stationyavd, . -». AHAURA. October 12. The Ahaura and Grey rivers were unusually high at midnight last night, but as far as yet ascertained, excepting that a portion of the Ahaura Convent Grounds were washed away, no further damage was done. A number of passengers per Gilmer's coach are stuck up here, as well as ssyeral waggoners. The weather is showery and the river is falling. «. TAUPO. October 11. Owing to the late warm weather, which has melted the snow on Tongariro and adjacent mountains, the lake and Waikato river are higher than ever known before by the oldest Native inhabitants. A very heavy thunderstorm passed over here last night.