FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1917, Page 4

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

-RIVERS OVERFWW. By Telegraph.—-l'l-ess Association. ) Dqnedin, May 28. Heavy rains throughout Otago on SaN urday night and Sunday resulted in floods. It was report*] this morning that a large area on TaUrl plain was under water, including the, township of Berwick. It is stated that 'the flood in the Xaieri River wag the bttvitat for 50 years. The Waipoii River rose to an unprecedented height, and water entered the Dunedin City Corporation electric powerhouse, and power and light were cut o(T from Dunedin and the surrounding districts. The Clutha River was also in flood, at Sterling the river burst its "Banks. It is feared that there it a heavy, loss of stock on Taicri plain. The southern express was unable to go through this morning, but the north express left as usual. A MAN DROWiNIjD. Invercargill, May CB, As the result of continuous rain os Saturday and Sunday there are heavy floods in various parts of Southland. Washouts have occurred on all the brancli railways aud traffic is practically suspended. The rain has now ceased. It will probably take a week to repair the damage. Samual Templeton, who was Sriviiig a trap from Makatua to Waimahaka, was drowned owing to the road being covjpred to a depth of Ave feet. Several .witnessed the accident, but were uaablo" ttt help. Templeton leaves a wlftow and six chil- < dren. DAMAGE AT GORE. Gore, Ma; tt, Owing to heavy rains up country the Mataura River has been rising steadily for the last 24 hours. At 11 o'oclck to-day the flood waters appeared not to have reached their maximum.' The damage in the town is considerable, particularly in the lower quarters, where the houses and shops on'tlie west side are submerged. There' is almost a foot of water in the streets.

It is believed that farmers, owing to the flood being vnexpected, lost a considerable amount of stock. Little more than one inch of rain fell in Gore on Saturday and 'Sunday. _ Up-country ret poita indicate that the rivera are falling. TRAIN TRAFFIC INTERFERED WITIJ REPORTED LOSS OF LIFE Dunedin, Last Night. No trains left for stations south of Mosgiel to-day, the railway line in different parts of the Taieri being undei water. There was also .water on tha line between Lovell's Flat and and Stln ling, and on the Outrara branch. Traffic was suspended on . the' Otago Central line. A slip near Salisbury delayed the train, which then proceeded tq l'inden. A bad slip was encountered at Deep Stream, passengers to and from Clyd< having to lie transferred. It is reported that the Silverstreau railway bridge, near Wingatui, is out ot alignment.' Between Lawrence and Milton the train was stuck up by a wash< out. \ On the Catlins branch line traffic wai also disorganised. The police received word that thre« families in the flooded area on Taier, plain were in danger, and Alexandei Douglas waß reported to be missing. MATAURA RIVER FALLING.

Gore, Last Night. Gore was visited by another flood thti morning, fortunately in broad daylight The river was watched all night, and af ter 4 a.m. the alarm sirens sounded. Be tween 4 and 7 the Mataura river, al ready high, rose nearly 3 feet. Trades men were warned, and removed theit goods to the second floor. Offices an# shops were inundated to a depth of £ feet. The damage is trifling comparec with what occurred four years ago. Th» light and power were cut off. The watoi in town is stationary at the time o| wiring (7.5 p.m.). Up-country report) indicate that the river is falling rapidltf