EXCEPTIONAL RAINFALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 45, 17 October 1912, Page 8

EXCEPTIONAL RAINFALL.

RIVERS RUNNING BANK HIGH. GREAT LOSS OF STOCK. (Per Press Association.) Gore, October 16. Heavy rain has been falling all over the district since Monday night. T'ne creeks and rivers are in flood. The Mataura liiver is running higher than for years, and is still rising. This morning there was a washout on the railway at Josephville (below Lurnsden), and the Athol-Kingston train is likely to he delayed for a few hours. The mild rain is the cause of a lot of snow corning down the Mataura river. Invercargill, October 16. As a result of the continuous heavy rains, the rivers are in high hood. A washout on the Otautau line interrupted railway communication. A continuous stream of logs and trees is being carried down the Waiau river. Wlire ropes holding pontoons on which the engine used in bridge construction was placed, snapped, and the pontoons were carried out to sea. The country about Lnmsden resembles an enormous lake, and several nouses have been invaded. Hundreds of sheep are floating about, and stock losses will be heavy.' CENTRAL AND SOUTH OTAGO. Dunedin, October 16. Heavy rain has fallen in the city al most incessantly since early on Tuesday morning. Advices from Centra, and South Otago state that the conditions arc very had there. Ai CUiecjistown a creek running through tao town was Hooded, ami the garden; in the vicinity suffered severely. Lake Wakatipn had risen 2ft Sin since Monday night, but a further rise is not expected. Almost four inches ol lain fell in 21 hours. The new Lowei S.iotover Bridge, near Arrowtown, wai badly damaged. A pier collapsed taking with it a span of the bridge All the woodwork, under the bridge aad an engine employed on the worl have been washed away. At Alex andra the river is 22 feet above nor mai, the highest rise since 1878. The main road between Lawrence and Rox burgh has been swept away below Mil bar’s Flat, and coach traffic is bein', run on the eastern side of the river but this road is subject to slips, am . Lae coach may not be able to ge. through, At Balclutha the river was ton feet above, normal at 4 o’clock , t.us afternoon, and'at 7 p;in. it was li feet above normal, but since then it has , Veen stationary, No danger, is anticipated' unless the,river rjses another three, feet.,, Latest advices fron Alexandra state that the river ,wa 2d feet above normal,and rain was stiL li*' / ' • • M 1 I - falling. Invrcargill, October 16. Rain ceased this afternoon, but tin weather is still dull and threatening, and it is anticipated that the rivers will bo heavily hooded.to-morrow'. Tin New.riyor is .three miles,wide at L:;d.. .darkly,, and a very large area is in undated.. The. outlook.tor farmers i; distinctly discouraging.