A RESERVOIR BURST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 193, 23 January 1915, Page 5

A RESERVOIR BURST.

"THEN CAME THE DELUGE." DAMAGE OVER £IO,OOO. NO LOSS OF -LIFE. IV Telegraph.—L'ur Press Association. l'nvercargill, Last Niglit. At 5.30 this evening the Harbour Boards reservoir at Muff, from which the town's water supply is drawn, burst, causing a sensation and inflicting damage estimated at not less than £IO,OOO. Ihe holding capacity of the reservoir is from six to seven million gallons. About six months ago it wag enlarged, and it is thought possible that the walls had not properly set. On Thursday night a record rainfall of 2.2 inches fell, and during today 0.8 inches. The overflow took place at tho eastern corner of the avenue. Then a breach occurred, which gradually widened, and then caitne the deluge. Most of the people ware in their 'homes at the time, it being tile evening mealhour. The first indication of the coming disaster was a sound like steam escaping. At first little notice was taken, as the creek running from the reservoir had been in flood all day, and it was thought the noise came from there. As thof noipe becajno persistently louder, the people began to realise that something out of t9ie ordinary was the matter, and just before the debacle took place it dawned on Hlhem that the rtservoir had broken. Then the delude swept down. In all fifteen residences were submerged, and six business places, flooded. Hedges and fences were swept in. all directions, and houses were turned completely round. One washhouse was swept t'wo blocks away.. Tho mam street was flooded. The water went over the railway line, and poured lr.to; the harbour. Cricket, bowling and tennis grounds were submerged. There was no loss of life.

OTHER MES.SAGKS. Th m • TnyercarjviJl, Last Night. in e Miiot Postmaster received tlie following message from Bluff, at 5.30 /".in.: "Harbour Board's reservoir burst away. Houses in 1/lic vicinity are flooded out, and large volurues of water are commg down the main street now, at 5.30." Considerable damage was done at the Bluff to Sir J. G. Ward's rftore, and tha contents were damaged to the extent of £3OOO or £4OOO. There have been several narrow escapes, but no loss of life.