NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XXXV, Issue 4966, 18 July 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBS rSESS ASSOCIATION.] THAMES, July 17. The severest and most destructive flood ever experienced here occurred last night. The rain was incessant for forty-eight hours, and all the creeks were so flooded as to carry away bridges, and bring down a thousand tons of debris. Two men were washed away, and one body only has been recovered. About fifty million feet of bulk timber were waahed tojthe booms at the Shortland mills, and millions wore washed to sea. The damage *;o the town was very great, and is estimated at £10,000. The borough corporation put on fifty men to repair damages, and it is estimated that they will requite £5000 to make good the injury to the culverts, streets, &3. A meeting of the Council to consider ways and means will be held in the morning. The domestic water supply water race, and some of the county races have been destroyed, and the water is cut ofE. The body recovered is that of Daniel Boyle, of Shortland ; the other was a Maori. Many small dwellings were washed away, and mush damage done to the batteries. The captain of the Botomahana states that he saw a waterspout bre&k over the town as he approached it from Auckland. NEW PLYMOUTH July 16. The Sank of New South Wales has purchased the vacant corner section in Devon street, below the Taranaki "Herald " office, at £17 109 per foot. The Bank intends erecting a handsome building on it at once. WELLING-TON, July 17. A Chinaman was arrested last night for smuggling ashore cigars from the steamer Bowen. Four hundred and seventy-five cigars were found oor.cealed on his person. Intercolonial Weather Exohange—Sydney. Saturday:—A depression, with moderate winds, passed south of Adelaide yesterday, and, was off Hobart this morning, the barometer beicg 29 7. The gale of Wednesday last is sow clear of the Australian coast, where the weather is settled with light B.W. wind and rising pressure, the barometer in Brisbane being 30.15. The storm centre is now passing north of New Zealand, bringing easterly gales. The one now approaching will pass south, and bring westerly winds. TIrdAEU, July 17.

A farmer, named Same, was brought into town last night in an almost hopeless condition, having fallen off a dray, the wheels of which passed over his loins, crushing them badly. Sains is one of the oldest ana most respeoted residents in the district. OAHARU, July 16.

The water supply was used to day for the flret time on a large soale as a motive power. The trial was highly successful, the whole of the machinery in 3fe*uri At*deMon*» *»»■» IB estimated that sufficient Iβavailable to drive six similar mills. The event was celebrated by a luncheon, to which Messrs Anderson invited the Borough Council and other leading citizens.

Major Sumpter was last nigbt presented with a handsome sword as a souvenir from his old oompany. The Waitaki Jockey Club last night determined to wind up.

DUUTEDIN, July 16. Somnus and Sir Modred will be sent to Melbourne. They are backed for £50,000 for the Cup.

Dr. Biehardson, an old identity, died this morning.

WTNDHAM, July 17. The ketch Eliza MoPhee, Captain Campboll, bound from Dunedin to InvorcargilJ, dragged her anchors in Waibawa harbor on Friday night at ten o'clock and went ashore on the beach. No lives were lost. The cook, a German, was washed into the breakers, and had a very narrow escape. The captain and crew saved his life in the boat at great rick. The vessel is believed to be the property of the captain, and is not insured. Tbe carpo consists of iron and lead, so that there is little hope of its being saved.