INCH VALLEY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1014, 21 July 1879, Page 2

INCH VALLEY.

(FROM OUR OWN CORK K^ONDENT.) July 4. The floods of Sunday last have caused a good deal of damage in this district, in the way of destroying fencing and spoiling 'the fords across the Shag Riverthere being no bridges across the river in this locality, except a foot-bridge near Mr. Glover's, which structure stood the rush of water that came against it well, though, at one time, the water was within two feet 'of the top of it. The only damage it has sustained is the washing away of a few feet of' the bank at the end of it. The fords are all more or less damaged, they being either washed into holes or silted up with loose shingle, which makes it very difficult for heavy traffic. I believe Mr. King, of the flour mill, is the heaviest loser in this locality. His mill race is completely filled, in from end to end, and althov\gh. ho has a number of men a, work cleaving it out, it will be, two or- three weeks, even if fine, weather continues, before he will be able to have the mill at work again. Many people say it was the highest flood that has occurred in Shag River since 18GS ; but in my opinion the flood of May, IS7O, was considerably higher. Our school buildings. »ro again to lot, our last teacher (Air, T. C. Faruie) having resigned, after a "six months' trial. He was the third teacher within the twelve months, I believe the reason for his short stay is the over-ofticiousncss of some parties in the district, who interfered where they had no right to do so, thereby causing the children to lose a deal of valuable time. The contract- for erecting new school buikUngs was let some six weeks ago, but the contractor W. Mills) is making no show of commencing them ; and, although I have been making some inquiries, I have not succeeded in ascertaining the cause of delay.