FLOODS IN OTAGO.

West Coast Times, Issue 346, 1 November 1866, Page 3

FLOODS IN OTAGO.

The heavy rainsiiy which we were visited at tho beginning of October appeal- to have been general throughout the island, every paper containing accounts of floods causing more or less damage. We extract the following report of the flooding of the Moiy-ik-ux from the "Dun3tnn Times," of the 19th ultimo :—

On Thursday, night last, we were visited by one of the most' severe floods that has ever been known to visit this district. From shortly after midnight on Wednesday till 4 p.m. on Thursday, it rained incessantly; about the latter hour the Manuherikia and Molyneux Rivers rose rapidly. The effects of the flood were however most felt in the neighborhood of the former river, which n ached a height of at least thirty feet above its ordinary level. At Black's the damage done was something enormous, without one exception, the cultivators of land on the flat were totally ruined, everytning they possessed being swept away and destroyed. From the crossing place at Low's Station down to the Township-of Alexandra, on the Molyneux, there was everywhere desolation. Mi- Clucas' farm was clean swept away", so were also the cultivation paddocks of Mr L>. Robinson of the Balmoral Hotel ; Simni's Bridge and Glass' fluming were carried away ; Leslie's punt broke adrift, but was recovered, and on Saturday morning commenced plying across the river. At Black's and Beck's the traffic across the river was suspended for two days. The flood appears- io have been almost entirely

local, its effects being not felt beyond the Duustan district.

The damage done to Mr Beck's Hotel, at Blackstone Hill Station, was ruinous ; a nine acre paddock, sown with oats and potatos, was completely destroyed. The water rut-bed into the hotel so suddenly that nothing scarcely could bo removed, and the only mode by which the property could be prevented from being carried away, was by locking up all the doors. 'I he w.iter filled the house and covered the beds and furniture and other contents wi*h a thick coating of mud, the damage done was of a most serious extent. Fowls and other animals were destroyed, the total loss being estimated at not less than L 370. Mr Beck is now removing to a more safe position on the other aide of the river. Mr Cogle, of the Lauder Rtation, in a most generous manner, pointed out a piece of land, about one hundred acres, and told Mr Beck to make the best of it. Mr Cogle's home station has suffered immense damage, all the cultivated ground around it has been destroyed. Mr Atkins cultivated ground, at Lauder Creek, was completely swept away, including his live stock ; the contents of the house is also much damaged. All the claims on Black's flat are at a stand still, and no work cun be done in them until the tail-races are opened up anew. At. present the draining channels are nearly filled up with mud, and much labor will be nece-sary before the miners can pirform any work in their claims. The fall of the fluming belonging to the M Golden Gate" Company, is the most disastrous event in connection with the flood at Black's, the party will havv fo remain idle for a lengthy period of time.