FLOODS AND GALES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6053, 9 February 1892, Page 2

FLOODS AND GALES.

THE WEATHER IN THE SOUTH. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) IuiARU, Last Night. have had thirty hours' of heavy rain, with driving easterly gale. It is feared much damage has been done to the crops in South Canterbury, most of which are in stooks. The wind and rain ceased this morning, but it is cloudy and hot, and a mountainous sea is running on the coast. The barque Irene, ready for sea, wool laden, broke the ring of the mooring buoy., and drifted on the shore side of the harbour, but was towed off again without any ascertainable damage. Later. The rivers are all in high flood, and much low land is under water at Waihoa, on the main line. The sea is still heavy, and more ruin is threatened. The Irene is making no water, and is believed to be undamaged. Oamaru, Last Night. A great gale began yesterday, and still continues. Much damage has been done to the crops in the country districts. At Kurow, a bridge over the Waitaki was washed away, and the bridge over the Marawhenua was also washed away at Duntroon. The railway line at Ngapara and Waihoa was damaged, and the train service disorganised. The Kakanui River is in high flood, and it is rumoured that several people are cut off by the flood at Kakanui and their lives are in dauger. A special train has left with a boat for their rescue. Christohuroh, Last Night. The phenomenal rain that fell in Canterbury on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, excites serious fears for the crops in stook and standing. It is now fine but threatening. Ashborton, Last Night. The harvest in the Ashburton district was progressing under the most favourable conditions until Thursday when the rain set in. This is a serious matter, for the farmers are in the midst of harvest and very little has been stacked yet. The crops generally are heavy and the grain a goad sample, though some is shrunken owing to the drought in December.