FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1919, Page 5

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

AN ANXIOUS TIME. BALCLUTHA IN DANGER. By Telegraph.—Press Association

Dunedin, Last Night.

As a result of heavy rain during the past few days the railway trafnc on the south line was interrupted to-day. On reaching Stirling passengers had to walk about u quarter of a mile before rejoining the train. Balclutha is experiencing the most anxious time since the record flood of 1878. The embankment pro■tecting the town has stood the terrific strain so far, but fears are entertained that unless the flood waters abate the structure will give way. A large number of men were engaged in placing sandbags on the embankment to-day to prevent the water breaking through. Tonight the residents of the lower part of the town were warned to be prepared to vacate their houses at 10 p.m.

Urgent calls for assistance were sent out, as danger of the gravest nature threatened Barnego settlement, which is completely under water. Settlors' houses are isolated. The Balclutha Dairy Factory is surrounded by five feet of water. The river flooded Stirling to a depth of three feet.

To-day the water covered the east Tai eri to a depth of three feet.

HEAVY RAIN IN SOUTH. Timaru, Last Night. Heavy rain lias fallen over South Canterbury since yesterday afternoon —about two inches at the coast and more inland. It has put a stop to the harvesting of oats for some days. It is still raining. Exceptionally heavy westerly rains were experienced in the Alpine country and Mackenzie country, and all the rivers and creeks are high.