THE FLOODS.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 3037, 17 May 1875, Page 3

THE FLOODS.

The intelligence sent on Friday evening and Saturday by the telegraphist at the Bealey, that the Waimakariri was rising rapidly, and that if it continued there was a probability of a flood at Kaiapoi, caused the ri?er to be watched with considerable anxiety. Dnring the forenoon of Saturday fiie water in south or main branch of the river continued to increase in volume, and it was feared that disastrous results would follow at high tide between noon and 1 p.m. Contrary, however, to general expectation, the river kept within its banks, although the fresh was very heavy. In Kaiapoi the water did not rise over a foot from the level of the wharves when at its maximum height- The water rose slowly, and it was thought that it would gradually subside during the afternoon ; this, however, did not take place to any appreciable extent. Fortunately the coarse of the river from the town to the sea is nearly straight, so that but comparatively little obstacle was offered to the progress of the volume of muddy water. At 5 p.m. the water in the south branch at the railway bridge was as high aud the current as strong as at 2 {us., and at one time it was feared that it wonld wash into the southern approach. The road at Chainey's corner and between the Bridge was pretty well covered at 4 p.m , but the water did not at any time get over the line of railway. P- was fortunate that when* the flood was at its highest there was a strong ebb tide running. An engine and carriages Were sent up by the railway engineer in case of emergency, but fortunately there was no necessity to put them into requisition. A gentleman who drove from Rangiora yesterday states that the water had flowed across the Toad at Chainey's corner, and was on both sides of the road. It had also gone across the Island, but had subsided. No material damage appeared to have been done. A telegram received at Kaiapoi yesterday from the Bealey states that it was raining heavily, and it was feared that the river woyld again rise.

At the Rakaia the river broke through the south hank, flooding the side of the line on the south end of the bridge, rising in some places to the level of the sleepers. No material damage was done, as a number of xnenwereon the spot, and under the direction of the railway engineer, took means to prttent the water washing over. Tho protective works erected on the bank at the south end of the bridge, for the purpose of preventing the scour from washing •way the bank, answered most effectually.