FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3358, 26 October 1911, Page 5

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

BRIDGES DESTROYED.

DAMAGE TO 'OTIRA TUNNEL

(Per Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, Oct. 25. The flood in the Grey river is. still rising as high tide approaches. All the low-lying portions of the streets and sections are under a depth of water, including Victoria Park, where the trots would have been held to-day, but it is now impossible. The Jockey Club’s course has been injured by an overflow of the river, and the races have been postponed till repairs are effected. There is a big wash-out on the Otira railway at the Rotomana settlement, and another one on the Blackball extension. The river is still rising.

The district railway engineer despatched gangs to all wash-outs tins morning, repairs being effected promptly at the slip on the Blackball line, and it is expected to be finished at Rotomana by midday, so the express got through late. The Otira river is in high flood, and has destroyed a quantity of the tunnel tip-head, and lias also cut in between the traffic bridge and McLean’s cement store. The driver of one of the coaches attempted to negotiate the Waimakariri on horseback this morning, but was carried rapidly down stream, and was glad to reach terra firma. There is no chance of the passengers getting through. ' Paroa road, south of Greymouth, is blocked for a mile with driftwood from the river. Men are engaged removing it.

At Teramakau settlement, north of Ivumara Junction, the creek has cut into the road formation.

It is still raining hard. Townspeople were preparing for a- flood at midday, but the indications are not alarming old settlers. Seventy head of cattle were washed down the Grey river to sea last night. They 'belonged to Mr Ryan, of Ngahere. Three spans of the Ikamatua Sawmilling Company’s bridge, near Reefton, were washed away. It will take a fortnight to repair. The estimated damage is £l5O. Two spans of a bridge near Blackball liave boon washed away.

WORST FLOOD SINCE 1905.

LOSS OF STOCK INEVITABLE.

CYCLISTS’ NARROW ESCAPES

CHRISTCHURCPI, Oct. 2-5. fllie Waimakariri River is in high flood to-day, and the state of the country in the vicinity of the river is worse than on the occasion of last large flood on June 24tli, 1905. At one o’clock this afternoon road communication between Christchurch and Kaiapoi was cut off, and an hour or so later communication by rail between the city and Kaiapoi was impossible. So suddenly "did the flood waters rise that several vehicles, including motor cars, were completely isolated on the road between Belfast and Chaneys, and some remained in precarious positions for some time.

Between noon and 2 p.m. the flood waters rose 2ft and at Chaneys was sft deep on the road. At latest reports settlers were preparing to leave their dwellings, and loss of stock seems inevitable.

Numbers of cyclists and pedestrians between Belfast and Chaneys were taken by surprise, and soon completely surrounded by water. Some clung xo fences, and others climbed trees. The driver of a spring cart effected the rescue of no fewer than nine persons so situated, who were in dangerous positions. THE DANGER OVER ALL STOCK SAVED. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct, 25. The critical stage was expected between 6 p.ni. and 8 p.m., when the tide would be high. Fortunately the flood waters, which had been subsiding, continued to fall, and all danger is now practically over, though farmers have established pickets to watch and save stock iii the event of the waters suddenly rising. Communication by road with Kaiapoi lias been re-established.