REPORTED TO BE RECEDING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 4

REPORTED TO BE RECEDING

HALF KAIAPOI HOMELESS

SURROUNDED BY DRIFTWOOD :; AND DEBEIS.

: (II MIIdRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ■:{ CHRISTCHUROH. 9th May. The flood waters are receding in KaiaT)oi. and to-day the residents have been relieved of much of the anxiety of the previous 48 hours. Though the water has subsided on the Cam side, access to'-fche houses cannot yet be gained without the aid of boat*. Charles street, where sandbag protection was erected yesterday to keep back the waters', is now clear. In the overcast sky to-day the town bora a dismal aspect. The parts from- which the water had drained away were covered with silt, driftwood, and debris of all kindtf. Most ol^the houses which were flooded are not habitable,yet,,and it may be some days before .the flood is down sufficiently to .enable the owners to return to them. Traffic through quite a number of streets is 'possible only in drays and boats. JFlie damage to the Kaiapoi Woollen Company's Mills are very extensive, and dtvwill be some time 'before the full effect of..the flood is known. Throughout most of- the: building the depth of the flood water was about two feet. There were over 2000 pairs of blankets in;. the finishing department; and when tie water was at its highest it over- , flowed^ the. tables on -which the finishing work was done, causing considerabledamage. A great deal of destruction was caused! to the stocks of acids and ammonia at the factory, and much of tha machinery-will be seriously affected. "Approximately half The population of Kaiapoi. was rendered homeless, but accommodation was found for all. Some splendid work was done by various •bands of workers in rescuing people, often at considerable risk, and the efforts of these helpers is now being realised, now there is' time i'or consideration of the events of. the past two days. - Toward'Rangiora, the-flood waters are receding fa6t. . At Woodend there are. whole farms inundated still, and it will take soms days for this water to drain off. Forlorn-looking groups of stock can be seen clinging to the highest points of the farms, and the losses of stock have been, heavy. ■ •