FLOOD IN THE SOUTH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8258, 26 December 1911, Page 5

FLOOD IN THE SOUTH.

DUNEDIN, December 25. Residents on the 1 flat in Woodhaugh and North East Valley had a most alarming experience yesterday afternoon. At first it was surmised that the reservoir had burst, but it is now considered that the flood which occurred was due to the bursting of a, waterspout on the hill between Leith Valley and Mount Cargill. At 2 p.m. the Leith River was running about the same as usual, but an hour later the water was running down the streets, to a depth of three or four feet, like a mill race. The rush of the waters was so sudden that the residents had no time to prepare, and they had to make a hurried exit from the houses; in some cases women had to be rescued in traps. So far as is known at present three horses were drowned, and the mail cart was washed away and badly smashed, but the horse was rescued. Tons of new potatoes, cabbages, and trees were washed away and in the lower parts of the botanical gardens flowers were buried in mud. A visit made to-day revealed a deplorable state of affairs. In many houses water- has been up to a level higher than the beds and the deposits of mud must mean a heavy loss as the result of the damage to carpets, curtains, blankets, etc. For some hours the citizens in the localities concerned had a very anxious time, and it was not till 7 or 8 p.m. that the waters receded sufficiently to warrant the belief that the danger was past. Several people are not yet aware of the loss they have suffered as they are away for holidays.