THE FLOODS.

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 133, 3 January 1868, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

DESTKUCTIOX OF PROPERTY. In our issue of yesterday we alluded to the heavy rains in the varioos rivers, but we little thought that we should have to chronicle such a series of disasters has have occurred since that time. As on "Wednesday, communication with Charleston snd Mokihinui was rendered impassable, except at great risk, and if anything, it was more dangerous on Thursday than on the previous day. The Buller poured down with greater rapidity than we ever remembered to have seen it, while huge trees being borne down rendered it dangerous for anything near the vicinity; but still nothing serious was apprehended after the experiences we have already had. Early in the morning we were told that a large tree that seemed to slew round from the south side of the Buller, struck the Woodpecker Wharf with such violence that it gave way bodily, and in a few seconds the whole mass went tumbling down the stream, and coming into collision with the new Government wharf, now in course of erection, and that followed suit, and soon not a vestige remained, pile driving machine and monkey going with the rest. The next wharf, the old Government one, built by Mr Dreyer, met a similar fate, and in order to be of any service, will have to be re-built. Proceeding onwards, the next wharf, the new one, built by Messrs Miles and Co., called the Waterman's Wharf, at the foot of Gladstonestreet, we found that it had shared the fate of the others, and a large portion having been carried away, it was found necessary to cut away the greater portion of the remainder. Between ten and eleven o'clock Stanley Wharf, which till now had weathered the storm bravely, was threatened with a mass of timber that came floating rapidly down the stream and which struck against the projecting end of the wharf. There was a crash, but the whole was not swept away, for a body of men set to work under the direction of Mr

Beauchamp's manager, and managed to secure the disjointed portion with ropes, &c. It must not bo supposed that the banks of the river eccaped scatheless. On the contrary, at some places, especially near Mace's sawmill, a great portion of the bank has been washed away, eaiised principally by the river setting in from the south side. With regard-to the shipj ping, the steamers sought the shelter of the lagoon—the Southland having remained at her moorings as long as it was considered compatible with safety, got up steam and crossed over also. The Lucy and Adelaide remained at her moorings in front of the Government Wharf, and although it was thought at one time that she had sustained some slight injury, we are happy to report that she is uninjured. She is now strongly secured with cables.

It is almost impossible to estimate the amount of damage inflicted by the flood, but it is supposed that £SOOO will not cover the loss. AVe hope that it will not be long ere we shall see them re-erected, and this time with some protection against floating timber, or be made strong enough to stand a shock, by means of breastworks or breakwater. As it is, a mere unprotected pile wharf, will always be liable to accidents like the foregoing, when they have the force of a rapid river to contend with, as the action of the current loosens the earth, and thereby rendering them unable to withstand the shock of anything that might be brought against it.