HEAVY GALE AND FLOODS.

Southland Times, Issue 973, 22 June 1868, Page 2

HEAVY GALE AND FLOODS.

(Prom tte "Otago Daily Times," 15th Jane.) The heavy rain oh Friday has resulted in a flood which, in some parts of the Province, at least, has been more severe than that which occurred four or five months ago. : That flood was, fortunately, confined to a comparatively narrow strip of country from the seaboard ; but the present one, it is feared, has extended over nearly the whole province. The Clutha which was scarcely at all affected on the former occasion, has now been greatly flooded. The gale accompanying the * flood has been scarcely less severe than its predecessor, and it has caused a terriflic sea on the coast. So far as we have yet heard, the gale has been less productive of wrecks on the Coast, but there has been one wreck — that of the brigantine Dispatch, Timaru being the place of disaster. The Dispatch was commanded by Capt; Driver ; and it is with very sincere regret that we have to record the death of that gentleman. The Dispatch was a well-known trader on the "West Coast in the early days of the gold discoveries there, and under the command of Captain Keenan, she made some remarkably good passages — in one instance accomplishing the voyage from Dunedin to Hokitika and back rto this port in fourteen days. For some time past she has been employed in running cattle from the Chatham Islands to Lyttelton ; and she was on Her second voyage from the Chathams to this port when the wreck occurred. The p.s. Comerang, as to the safety of which some anxiety was felt, has reached port, without suffering any damage. The N.Z. Company's screw steamer "Wellington, from the North, arrived on Saturday morning. There was so heavy a sea on the bar that the steamer was almost overpowered" by one great wave which broke on board ; but she got through with the loss of a boat and some damage to her bulwarks. Previously, while she was standing off and on, the man at the wheel was flung down ; and he had one of his legs much injured, if not broken, by a blow from one of the spokes of the wheel. : The flood has again caused serioui damage to the main road, north and south of Dunedin. On each side,^ there have been heavy land slips, culverts have been burst, and budges have been damaged, The Taieri began to rise rapidly about seven o'clock on Friday morning ; and at the West Taieri the water rose above the 1 level of the proceeding flood, which was the highest then on record. Along the

main north road, however, the flooding has not been so great as it was on the previous occasion ; bo that the Plain has probably suffered less. There has been nothing like the eight or nine miles of water which stretched along the road line a few months ago. The road has, however, been much flooded, and is in a dreadfully-cut-up state for several miles on this side of the East Taieri Bridge ; an important culvert has been blown up, in the Waihola (Jorge neighborhood ; and near Tokomairiro a small bridge and soma culverts have disappeared, and left chasms which, on Saturday, were impassable by vehicles. The Tuapeka district has suffered greatly. Some particulars as to the state of Lawrence, will be found amongst our telegraphic intelligence. The Escort from Switzers had not reached Tuapeka up to yesterday afternoon ; and it is not likely that it will reach in time to be brought on to Dunedin by Tuesday. I A report from the West Taieri, written on Saturday, gives the following particulars : — When the river began to rise on Friday morning, Mr Campbell, who was in charge of the repairs of the bridge, got his men together, and, though with great difficulty, succeeded in securing much of the timber, &c, whch is required for the work. The whole party had constantly to work up to their armpits in water. The river continued to rise so rapidly that most of the residents in the village sought safety on high ground. ! About seven o'clock in the evening, Mounted Constable Carter went towards Mr Eichardson's flour-mill on the Whare Creek, to ascertain if the people there were in danger. Einding that they were | greatly so, Carter returned to the West j Taieri Hotel, and called for volunteers in | attempt to save Mr Eichardson and family. John Buchanau, David Buchanan, Mr^Starbuck, and a "boatman known as " Bill," at once joined Carter. Together, they took the boat belonging to the Government — dragged her overland to the cfeek — again launched her, and succeeded, after very great difficulty, in saving Mr Eichardson arid his family. The Outram Hotel, to which many went for safety i during the last flood, was considered to be in danger when the report was written early on Saturday morning. The river was then still rising, and Mr Tynan and his wife had been compelled to leave the hotel. On Eriday evening, a number of persons had gathered for safety on the premises of Mr Bobinson, storekeeper; but it was found that they could not continue to remain their, and they . made their way to the Buckeye Hotel. All the settlers who could manage to do so, loosed their cattle and horses, and drove them on the hills.