CHRISTMAS WEATHER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 153, 27 December 1911, Page 3

CHRISTMAS WEATHER.

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUnedin, Sunday. Heavy rain fell early this morning, and for a few hou'rs this afternoon the residents of Woodhaugh and North-East Valley had an anxious time. In the former locality a flood came down suddenly. Considerable damage was done, fowl-houses, fowls and ducks being washed away, and in many houses there was 3ft or 4ft of water. Citizens got a severe fright and made hurried preparations for eiit)'seeking refuge on roofs of houses. Tho Wo'odend' bridge was partially washed, away. The post mail cart had to be abandoned owing to the rush of water, and' the liorse and trap were washed awdy, the former being drowned. At No'rtli-East' Valley there was about 18in of water, in many houses, and in some it, was. 4ft,or ,sft deep in this locality . The rain has cleared off now, and the flood waters are receding. It is feared that the flood at Woodhaugh was duei to the breaking of the Teservoir, ■about fojir, oe five miles distant. BURsi'IXG OF A WATERSPOUT. A VALLEY FLOODED. RESIDENTS' ALARMING EX- . BERIENCE. Dunedin, Monday. Residents.on the flat in Woodhaugh and North-East Valley had a most alarming experience yesterday afternoon. At first it was surmised that the reservoir had burst, but it is now considered that the flood was due to the bursting of a waterspout on the hills between Leigh Valley and Mount Cargill. At '2 p.m. tho Leigh was running about the same as usual, but an hour later the water was running down the streets to a depth of 3ft or 4ft like a mill race. The rush of water was so sudden that the resident's had no time to prepare, and they had to mako a hurried exit from their houses. In some cases women 'had to be rescued in traps. So far as is known at present three horses were drowned. The mail cart was washed away and badly smashed, but the horse was rescued. Tons of new potatoes, cabbages and trees were washed away, and in the lower parts of the Botanical Gardens the flowers are buried in the mud. A visit to the scene to-day revealed a deplorable state of .affairs. In many houses water has been up to a level higher than the beds, and the deposits of mud mean heavy losses as a result of tho damage to carpets, curtains, blankets, etc. For some hours the citizens in the localities concerned had a very anxious time, and it was not till 7 or S p.m. that the waters receded sufficiently to warrant the belief that the danger was past. Several people are not yet aware of the loss they have suffered, as they arc away for the holidays. AT WANGAXUI. | Wanganui, Monday, / The weather for the holidays has been unpleasant. Heavy rain fell on Christmas Eve, interniittenly yesterday, and again to-day. Nothing of moment has happened.

I HAIN IN WELLINGTON.

Wellington, Monday. The weather has been rather unsettled for Christmas. Before 8 o'clock on Sat urday evening rain began to fall sud denly after a fine day. The rain con tinued throughout the evening, making matters unpleasant for the great crowds of shoppers. It rained' for the. greater part of the night, but cleared up in the morning, yesterday being quit'e fine. Last night rain came on again, and continued heavy all night. To-day 'has so far been fine, but dull. Great numbers of people have gone out of town for the holidays. The only attraction here is the cricket ■match, Wellington v. Hawke's Bay. Late this afternoon there waa more rain, making .the prospects for to-morrow any- | thing but bright.