SIDELIGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 20130, 21 March 1929, Page 9

SIDELIGHTS

It seems rather ironical to report a shortage of water utter a flood; but in many ol the In'll areas the supply has been cut ulf till a number of broken mains arc repaired. Tho unusual sight was seen in Aloniington this morning of a large barrel of water being carted around on a dray, and of people coming from bouses with, all manner of receptacles in which to secure some of the precious liquid. “ When wo had open ditches in South Dunedin.” said a very old resident, “ they were able to carry tho water away, but your uew-f'augled concrete gutters can’t do it. In those days, too. wc didn’t have to pay tho rates and taxes wo do to-day.” The kiddies arc having a great lime on Bathgate Park, emulating Robinson Crusoe, with rafts, which they skilfully paddle through the water. Bathgate was still completely covered this morning, though the water was not so deep as yesterday. The sea birds are having a picnic on the Oval. There were still large sheets of water on the area this morning, hut they were not so deep as yesterday. All round the area was not nearly so badly affected as during the 1923_ flood. Tho Hood waters in one section of Castle street, between Stuart and St. Andrew streets, rose nine inches higher than the level recorded in 1923. Tn tho premises of Mr C. P. Cuttriss the water was l£t deep, and then rose suddenly to a. level of 3ft 2in. Tho water eventually recoded to a depth of lit in his garage, leaving a deposit of from l*tn to Sin of silt. Accessories and spare parts of motor cars were seriously affected. Air Cuttriss estimates his loss at from £l5O to £2OO. The water rose to a height of 4ft in the back of the garage, completely submerging magnetos and dynamos. These were rendered practically useless. When the water was pumped out of the pit at the tramway shed, an eel measuring 6ft long was found. At Cromwell, the weather is settled and cold. The river Las fallen 4it in the twenty-four horns ended at 11 a,in. The city engineer this morning had men sent'to the various areas affected by the flood to clear away rubbish and silt deposited by the Hood waters. Ihe cleaning-up process will take some davs. DONATIONS. It was reported at the meeting of tho Flood Relief Committee this morning that the following donations had been received;—Airs Greenslado £IOO Aliss Creensladc £SO. Continued on. page 10.