FLOODS SWEEP DUNEDIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 617, 20 March 1929, Page 1

FLOODS SWEEP DUNEDIN

River Flows Down Streets

MANY RESCUED IN BOATS

Press Association

DUNEDIN, To-day. THE heaviest rain-storm since 1923 has flooded rivers in Otago. Chief damage was done at Dunedin where the River Leith overflowed, inundating the northern end of th*' city. Many houses are flooded over the window-sills and the occupants have been removed in boats. Cellars were flooded in Oamaru. Christchurch was swept by a severe rain-storm, bill no damage was done. All public services are operating.

DUNEDIN. To-day. Until raid-day yesterday the rain was steady, but not heavy, but from then on it came down in torrents, and at a late hour was still falling. The south end of the city was particularly unfortunate. A large main sewer burst, a rushing torrent of water flowing through several of the narrower streets to a depth of four to five feet and flooding a number of residences. The Caversham suburb, which lies at the foot of hills pierced by a railway tunnel, received a heavy volume of water from a creek on the other side of the range which overflowed and ran through the railway tunnel. Eventually the Railway Department blocked the tunnel and stopped the flow to some extent.

A slip on the line near the southern end of the Caversham tunnel held up the express which left for Invercargill shortly before 5 o’clock. The blockage was removed and the train had proceeded as far as Mosgiel, about eight

miles south, when it was again held up by a flooded creek. On this train were the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, and the Hons. T. K. Sidey, W. B. Taverner and P. A. de la Perrelle, as well as several members of Parliament who were travelling south to attend the complimentary banquet to be given to Sir Joseph Ward at Invercargill to-night. TRAINS DELAYED It was decided to bring the train back to Dunedin, but in the meantime another slip had fallen on the line on the south side of the Caversham tunnel. Another hour or so passed in clearing this slip, and the train, together with the ordinary express from Invercargill due at 6.23 p.m., arrived back in Dunedin shortly after 11 o’clock. The express from Invercargill was unable to get further than Balclutha and the north line was blocked by a heavy fall of stone about one-quarter of a mile north of Port Chalmers. It Is expected, however, to have this cleared

away in time for the night train to get through. The River Leith which traverses the north end of the city overflowed in many places, and a footbridge near the mouth was washed away. Most of the houses on and near the banks were invaded with water to a depth of three or four feet, and many of the residents were forced to vacate their homes. Stoppages occurred on several tramway routes. As the night advanced the floods in the north end of the city grew worse. SWIFT RUSH OF WATER By 11 o’clock last night there was three feet of water over nearly all North-East Valley and the River Leith was rushing along Cumberland and Castle Streets toward the city. In the former street it penetrated as far as St. Andrew’s Street, where three feet of flood water entered many premises and eventually, via Castle Street, penetrated as far as the “Otago Daily Times” office, flooding Queen’s Gardens in the centre of the city. Two wooden bridges over the Leith collapsed. In the North End rescuers taking people from their homes worked waist deep in the water or used boats. In one case it took six men to carry a woman clear. One man was washed off his feet and carried by the swift waters into the Public Gardens. Burnside was heavily flooded and there was some difficulty in getting clear sheep which were penned for sale. The terrific force of the flood at Woodhaugh washed boulders nine feet high against a house, which was completely , ruined. Harbour Terrace Lower Leith, is still under water, which is higher than the window sills of houses. TO ASSIST HOMELESS A special meeting of social workers organised committees to assist the hundreds of homeless who, in the meantime, are quartered in hotels, boarding houses and the Salvation Army building, all of which are crowded. The Red Cross Society i« advancing £SOO for immediate use. At the request of the police, H.M.S. Dunedin turned her powerful searchlights on the northern area last night, this greatly helping rescuers. The warship also lent a float and 30 men, who did yeoman rescue work. The police, social workers, ambulance and naval men were hard ait it until two o’clock this morning. All refugees were taken to the Police Station, where they were assigned quarters.

MANY CELLARS FLOODED RAIN AT OAMARU FALL OF INCH AN HOUR j Press Association OAMARU, To-day. A very heavy downpour of rair. act in early yesterday afternoon, continuing until after nightfall. Considerable damage has been done by the flood waters, which entered basements and cellars at several business premises, damaging stocks of goods and merchandise. A number of private residences were also inundated. The fire engine was utilised the whole evening in pumping water out of basements. The rainfall was the heaviest experienced for it great many years, 6.16 inches being recorded for the 24 hours ending nine o’clock this morning In the two and a-half hours from four to 6.30 in the afternoon. 2.24 inches fell. Rivers are in high flood. There are some washouts on the road. and. motor traffic with Dunedin is blocked. It is still raining, but only in a fitful drizzle.