HEAVY FLOOD IN DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4264, 29 March 1879, Page 5

HEAVY FLOOD IN DUNEDIN.

[Press Special Wire.] Duhbden, March 28.

last evening the fins weather which bad prevailed for some days broke up, and a heaty south.westerly gale set in, accompanied by occasional aqualls of rain. Still a heavy rainfall was not anticipated, and few persona were prepared this morning to find that a flood had occurred which bad done enormous damage in various parts of the town. Heavy rain set in shortly before twelve o'clock last night, and though it lasted for only a few hours, an immense body of water fell, coming down as if from a gigantic water spout It was generally thought that ample faculties for carrying off storm water existed in this city, but last night appeared to ahow that the corporation drainage system ia not in proper working order. Most probably the question w_l come up for argument in the law comte. The principal sufferers appear to be the merchants and shopkeepers in Rattray and McLaggan afreets, down which a perfect torrent of water flowed. The former street presented an extraordinary spectacle this morning, for from the Robin Hood corner down to Bishop Moran's residence the kerbing and channelling on the side of the street had been torn up by the force of the water and scattered all over the road, while from that point downwards the channelling had at intervals of every few feet been scooped out and holes excavated, varying from two to five feet deep. The boulders forming the pitching were carried down to the level part of the street, and with the accompanying earth and clay sediment from tHe hills, spread over its whole width. Meanwhile, not one of the gratings over the drains bad been opened, and aa a natural consequence the water flooded the street and rushed into the cellars and ground floors of the establishments on either aide. Mr R. _. Murray is one of the greatest sufferers in this part, and his loss may roughly be estimated at about £700. Hia cellar was Blocked with sugar, lemons, and general confectionery, and all is more or lees damaged. Mr Murray states that when he got up this morning, at about 7 o'clock, there was 4ft. of water in his cellar. Had the rain fallen twenty-four houra earlier the damage would nave been much greater, as yesterday night some loads of coMect—nery were removed from the cellar. In Mr A. Solomon's pawnshop, directly facing the culvert, there was a lot of mud a couple of inches deep along the floor, and the dirt had acti—lly got into a MUner safe. Mr A. Mercer estimates his loss at fully £300, while Mr Isaac has had some of his chemist's shop injured to the extent of £100. The water penetrated North and Seoulax's, and did an amount of damage to furniture which they have been unable at present to estimate. Another landslip took place behind Mr E. Pritchard's premises, and descending on the roof of the smithy, wrecked it to anch an extent that it has been impossible to resume work to-day. Along Maclaggan street—so there are many sufferers. It appears that some obstacle at the head of that street turned the water out of its proper channel and across to the east side, where there : were not sufficient means to carry it off, and it then flooded the premises along ita course. In High street, Sargood, Son, and Ewen have about an acre of base—ent covered to a depth of nine inches. Until a survey has been made they cixmot state their damage, but it is variously estimated at . from £10,000 to £30,000. In George street a |jreat deal of damage has been inflicted, mainly through tbe body of water which came down York place and Andrew street, Messrs Esther and Low, grocers, estimate their loss at about £1000. Mr Jaa. Irvine, grocer, conaid era that hia will exceed £400, and Mr A. Palmer, China merchant, loses fully £IC3. At Mr Hoodale's tannery a large quantity of leather and grindery has been injured. Those above-mentioned are only a few of \ the cases, as it has been impossible to ascer- • tain anything like the full extent of the ] damage done throughout the city. It may, however, be fairly set down at some scores of thousands of pounds.