THE WESTPORT FLOODS. THE TOWN UNDER WATER.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 246, 14 March 1888, Page 3

THE WESTPORT FLOODS. THE TOWN UNDER WATER.

"Westpout, March 9fch. Tiik following telegram was sent by steamer go Grey mouth for transmission :—: — "This town has been cut off completely from telegraphic communication with tho outside world since Wednesday night. For three hours on Thursday morning there was a burst of the heaviest rain ever experienced since settlement of the town. Tho greater portion of the borough was Hooded, especially the low-lying portions, to u depth of 3everal feet. ]So great damage was done in the town, but much discomfort and inconvenience was caused. The Buller River was in high ilood, and it was found that telegraphic communication had been interrupted. The Reef ton coach made an attempt to go up country yesterday morning but at one place on the road, the Overflow, the horses had to swim and the coach was compelled to return to town. A second start was made this morning, the telegraph men being passengers. Five miles out of town the coach stuck in the middle of the road. The driver endeavoured to rush through on horseback with the mails, but after cossing the Buller River, nine miles from Westport, he found the road completely blocked with heavy slips. The whole hill-sido upon which the road was constructed appeared to have slipped into the river. Several telegraph poles were down, and wire twisted or entangled and wrecked with debris. Repairs to the telegtaph line aro expected to take three days, as the material has to be carried on men's back Hve miles. It is feared that ono of the large bridges on the road has been carried away. The decking of a bridge had been seen floating down the river. Altogether very extensive damage has been done to the main road, and tho Buller County Council has no funds to repair the damage."