FLOOD IN KAIKOURA. TOWN ISOLATED.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9690, 11 May 1923, Page 5

FLOOD IN KAIKOURA. TOWN ISOLATED.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. The heaviest flood in Kaikoura’s history is reported. Rain commenced on Friday, continuing on Saturday, Sunday, and Alonday. The district was inundated, through heavy seas stemming the rushing waters at the mouth of the river. Landslides oir the roads to Blenheim and to Christchurch blocked traffic. The telephone and telegraphic wires are down, thus isolating Kaikoura. The Middle. Creek rose over the bridge which is impassable on the north road, and the Kawliai River overflowed the bridge on the south road. Residences near tlie banks of Lyall Stream suffered heavily. The water was over a foot deep in one residence. The water at the Dairy Company’s office was up to the door handle. There was a depth of three feet at Flower’s corner, and the shop was flooded. Shops on the other side of the road at a lower level suffered heavy damage, there being four feet of water in the shops. Much stock was damaged. AYest-end residents were forced to seek refuge in hotels. The Long Creew sawmill was washed away, and hundreds of cords of wood, "with the engine and sawbench, were lost. Linesmen have been landed at Kaikoura to repair the lines. They are equipped with a harpoon gun to shoot the wires across the streams. The rainfall was 25. S inches. —P.A.

MIDLAND RAILWAY LINE

ONE TUNNEL ALAIOST BLOCKED

CHRISTCHURCH, May 10

Railway communication with Arthur’s Pass may be restored in a fortnight’s time, stated Air. A. J. AlcCredie, District Railway Engineer. A good deal depends upon the weather. If the rain stops it may bo possible to do work somewhat earlier, while if it continues communication may not be restored for a longer period. “What do you think of the position beyond the big break at Otarama?” asked the reporter. “Worse than I expected,” ,Alr. AlcCreadie replied. “At No. 8 tunnel it is just possible for a man to squeeze through the opening in the obstruction which blocks the mouth of the tunnel.”

Questioned as to the possibility of road communication with Arthur’s Pass Air. AlcCreadie stated in his opinion it was absolutely impossible. The quickest way of getting to the AVest Coast from Christchurch was by way of Wellington and Greymouth.—P.A. HEAVY LOSS IN STUD SHEEP. ANXIOUS TIAIE FOR FARMERS CHRISTCHURCH, Alay 9. One hundred and forty stud Southdown ewes valued at about £IOO6 and a Southdown ram valued at 30 guineas have been lost- in the floods by Air. J. J. Stevenson, the wellknown breeder of Flaxton. The flood came- so suddenly that little could be done to remove the sheep, but by strenuous efforts Air. Stevenson saved about 500. Air. Stevenson had been building ttp his flock of stud sheep for some years, and is a heavy loser. He has also lost a considerable quantity of clover seed and wheat. Though few definite estimates are available it is likely that the stock losses in the North Canterbury districts will be heavy, for in many low-lying parts the water accumulated over-night, and little could be done to save the stock. Farmers are having an anxious time, for in addition to stock losses which cannot be definitely ascertained yet, many of them will lose wheat and seed which had been threshed and left stacked in paddocks. In the Rakaia district the flood had been responsible for tlie ruin of a great deal of wheat and potatoes in sacks, which were out in paddocks and have become waterlogged. ‘•GLEANING DAY” AT KAIAPOI.

DRAINING WATER, FROM FLOODED AREAS. WAIAU BRIDGE GIVES WaY. CHRISTCHURCH, May 10 To-day was essentially a “cleaning day” in' Eaiapoi. The lire engine was employed in emptying cellars. The authorities have cut several drams and openings through the embankment, and draining has reduced the flooding considerably, but it will be some time beio’e water from the lowlying sections gets away. Many families are still being accommodated in private houses, the technical school, etc-., and some families cannot possibly return to their homes for some davs. In the meantime they arc being well looked after. Provision- has been made at the woollen mills and the freezing works lor the drying ot • clothing, etc. The Eaiapoi Woollen Mills resumed operations to-day in the carding, spinning and milling departments, and it is expected that the rest of the employees wili be able to start again on Monday. The work of getting the flood water out of the building was efficiently carried out by the mill.staff. It has been found that the damage to the wool and materials will not he so great as was anticipated. The Waiau bridge is now complete- >•. broken in two, and communication •,,-ith Parnassus is stopped. The loss • f the Waiau bridge will be very seri- . as to motorists, as the river is one vf the most dangerous and difficult i.i Canterbury, and lies on the direct v-. ite to Chcfiot. Before the bridge was opened many cars used to be held up at the ford where a horse and cart Were used to ferry passengers across. Even when the weather clears, the Rahway Department will he faced with serious difficulty when it comes to the work of repairing the breaks on the Waipara-Parnassus branch. The Ims i« foity-four miles in length, and it goes over the Hurunui and Waiau rivers, as well as over smaller streams. Reports indicate that the rails will have to be re-laid over various stretches. Scouring by hood water still goes on, and the foundations of various bridges have been undermined. There is a slip near Scargill, hut the wors fall of earth has taken place between Ethelton and Tormore, several liunarods of tons of earth having been carried away. The rails underneath this huge pile of debris are % y likely to be either bent or broken. Repairs will therefore be a matter ot weeks. —P.A. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO SETTLERS. LOANS AT 5 PER CENT. WELLINGTON, May 10. The Prime Minister states that Cabinet has decided to assist settleis who have suffered serious loss dunn rt the recent floods, and who ma T r P* quire a certain amount of cash m order to carry on their farms , details have nob yet been worked out but the intention is to follow the procedure adopted in the ca s e bush fires some years ago at Raetih and Ofiakune, where monetary advances were made to se^ le ™ J* a comparatively low rate of In the present case of through flood damage the rate of in terest will be 5 per cent. Apphcatmm for assistance will be received by Superintendent of the State Advances Department. I -A. government forecast. TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT PROBABLE ON EAST COAST. Indications are for variable winds but moderate to strong north-wester-lies to south-westerlies prevailing. Weather cloudy to overcast with ram in many" parts, but a brief temporary improvement is probable m the JEast Coast districts. The barometer has a falling tendency.