GALE AND FLOODS AT WELLINGTON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2920, 11 March 1893, Page 3

GALE AND FLOODS AT WELLINGTON.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

Wellington, March 11. The southerly gale wish rain continues. The low-lying portions of the town are flooded, and in Grainger street the water entered the houses. Fences, chimney pots, orchards, and gardens in all directions have suffered, and shipping is at a standstill. Slips are feared on the railway lines. No serious damage is reported. This is the worst southerly gale e>perienesd for years. One or two small slips have occurred on the Manawatu railway line, a mile out, whieli prevented the train leaving town this morning. Other slips arc reported farther up. It is expectel that communication will be restore! during the day. AH the Jand lines between Wellington and other parts of the North Island are interrupted but the Telegraph Department have communication with Wanganui •andthe West Coast bymeans of the Waka-puaka-Wangariui cable. It is reported that heavy floods have occurred at Petone, but no information ie available. All means of communication is suspended. Later.

At noon to-day there were evidences of the rain clearing off, bub a strong gale is still blowing. All the low lying portions of the town have sustained damage. In Grainger street there is five feet of water in the houses, and the families had to be removed. Along Thorndon Quay the flood-water entered buildings, /but no serious damage was done. About two hundred yards of the pea wall of Thorndcn esplanade was washed away, the damage being considerable. The hills above the Tinakori road, discharged a large quantity of water into the guUy below the road and hill in which are numerous residents. A number of the latter were rescued with difficulty and m one or two instances horses were drowned in the stable. A t Kai warrawarra the river scoured out the approach of the railway bridge, thus disconnecting railway communication with the Hutt^ but coaches join the train on the other side of the bridge. Beyond the Hutt there are slips on the line and on the Rimutaka incline a heavy fall of earth has taken place, while atthe far end of the Wellington-Eketahuna railway near Mangamahoe the line is blocked and traffic entirely suspended. It is expected that it will be a week before through communication is restorep. In the Hutt dibtrict the river ovei-flowed and residences on the bank are in danger. The occupants were removed in boats, and took refuge in the railway goods sheds and carriages. In lone city hotel the cellar fell into whatjs believed to be the Eevver, and someofth'econtents were washedaway. Hoardings and sign boards were levelled in many directions. A number of constables have been despatched to the Hutt to assist in the rescue work. A tremendous sea is running in the harbor. The departure of the Talune, which should have gone south yesterday, has been postponed until Monday. Five families, representing thirty-one ■persons, who were flooded out in Granger street have lost everything and the Benevolent §ociefy is providing for them. All sorts of exaggerated rumors are prevalent as to the extent of the damage done by the floods. ' A small railway bridge on the Welling-ton-tMaster ton railway line has been washed away, also a stone embankment. at Ngahauranga. Railway traffic is entirely suspended.