FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 21 March 1904, Page 2

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

SERIOUS DAMAGE IN BLENHEtM ft H'NTIiY i:\DER WATER. (Per Dress Association.) IVLEMiEIM, "March 19. The exceptional rainfall of the past Jew days caused the highest floods in the dislricl known for years. floods were confined to Ihe Wairau and Opawa 1 livers, Tun marina, Springcreok, Oroveton and Loyalust being especially affected. At. eleven o'clock to-day a considerable area of the northern Blenheim district was under water, but the low nso far is dry. Hoad and railway communication between Blenheim and Picton is interrupted, a washout occurring on the line near Tuatnarina. The. rutin which lefi Piclon as usual this morning was unable to get through. There are phenomenal floods in the Pel or us and Waka marina Hi vers. The Pelorus valley is completely submerged. and the bridge crossing the Wakamarina at Can\ astown was washed away. Serious Joss of livestock Is feared. LATRK.

The Tuninarinn district is one sheet of water, and there has been heavy loss of stock and grain. Rail way eorumuuicat ion bet Ween Blenheim and Picton is not yet restored, but gangs ut' men are repairing the washout at Tuamarina. The Wairau and Opawa Rivers sent down on extraordinary volume of water, and scl tiers in various localities suffered severely. The water trickled over the river banking into the centre of the town, and business was practically suspended, but the V-streels were not completely covered. The flood waters commenced to subside during the afternoon. ACCIDENT TO A MAIL COACH. THE DRIVER DROWNED. BLENHEIM, March 19. The Nelson coach which left town at seven o'clock, without passengers, came to griel near tin? Wairau bridge about six miles from Blenheim. The Mood was flowing across the road 'with great force, and there was deep water with a strong current at the fool of a rather sleep approach on the Tuamarina side.. Here the current overturned the conph. LATER. The police have returned from a search for (he driver of the Nelson coach, which they found hanging to a lence on the Tuamarina road side. lJy means of a boat, and with great difficulty, they cut free two of the horses, which escaped alive ((he other two being drowned), and fished up the mails. The accident was witnessed by a settler, and Richardson, the driver, was seen to swim for .wo hundred yards, and then sink exhausted. The party failed to 2nd his body. BLENHEIM. March 20. The body of Richardson, driver of the Nelson coach, was found this morning in the llood waters a hundred yards below the scene of the accident, At- the inquest this afternoon a verdict, ov accidental drowning was returned. INUNDATIONS AT NELSON. NELSON, March 19. Heavy rain last night caused severe Hoods. Several places in the town were under water, which cn- • ered houses in low-lying parts. Residences on the banks of the Maotai Uiver were cut oIT for a time. There was no train to-day, ami telegraphic communication with Brightwnter was cut. off. It is stated that the llood is six inches over the store counters there. Approaches to the railway on both sides of the bridge have been washed away, and news lias been received that the Wangaiuott bridge has been destroyed. RAIN ON THE WEST COAST. REEPTON, March 19. The rivers and creeks rose to a great height last evening, causing the highest flood seen in the district for 21- years. Many settlers will'sufter through land being washed awav and crops damaged. Rogers' hotel, at Itoatnmn's, had nearly two feet of mullock in the lower rooms, owing to a big slip at the rear of the building. Many of the dredges are"surrounded by sand and debris, and are unable to work.