THE WAIMAKARIRI IN FLOOD.

Evening Star, Issue 7473, 17 March 1888, Page 2

THE WAIMAKARIRI IN FLOOD.

[Special to the Star.] CHRISTCHURCH, Maech 17. In consequence df melting snow the Waimakariri, which flows through the township of Kaiapoi, twelve miles from Christchurch, was heavily flooded on Friday, the gauge at the Gorge bridge, above Oxford, denoting a height of four feet above that of the previous flood on July 11. This was enough to give rise to serious anticipations and fear. Persons who took some interest in the matter carefully watched the gradual rise from 9.30 till the time the alarm was given. The first rise was at the rate of 12in per hour ; it then became more gradual to 3in in an hour ; and at midnight, as the volume of flood between the town embankments increased, it was decided that if it reached the top of the embankment a warning should be given, and the plan adopted was the only one which could be suggested as likely to prove the most useful. The water had begun at ten minutea to one to trickle over the Charles street embankment, and the whole of the borough was speedily roused. Persons who resided in the threatened parts of the town were assisted to raise their furniture and leave their abodes, provision having been made to meet all cases. Fortunately the river only rose an inch or two higher Charles street east and some of the other low streets and only one or two cottages were inundated. The river was expected to rise with the tide at 6 a.m., and very earnest were the watchinga iup to that hour. It was then found that, although the tide was coming in, the fresh was going out, and the flood began to subside ; bo that in a few hours the river will have nearly reached its normal condition. This inundation was simply the backwater of tho main river forcing its way into the north branch and into its drains and confluent, the Cain. Much of the land adjacent to the town is flooded, and on some of the farms bean and grain orops will bo damaged. Traffic by the North road is interrupted this morning, but it is expected to be opened in the evening. [Peb Peess Association.] A heavy fresh in the Waimakariri resulted (at I a.m.) in a breach being made in the embankment. All the lower part of the town was flooded. About six o'clock signs of abatement appeared, and now (1 p.m.) the worst is over. Much damage and distress will be caused. The water was within 2ft of the June flood of last year, but the darkness of the night rendered the saving of life and property a far more difficult matter than then. The firebell was rung at 1 a.m., and plenty of boats and drays were available. A good deal of the surrounding country is under water, but no damage has been done to the railway.