FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7422, 27 March 1902, Page 2

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

HEAVIEST EVEE KNOWN.

A TOWN UNDEE WATEE.

BEIDGES WASHED AWAY.

(PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Timaru, March 26. The heavy rain storm which set in over South Canterbury on Friday last continued with unabated force on Saturday and Sunday, culminating on Monday in the most serious flood for the past 30 years. Many old identities declare they never saw anything like it. In Timaru six inches of rain fell in four days.

No great damage was done in Timaru, but at Temuka and the surrounding districts heavy losses resulted, especially to the farming community. Low lying lands are submerged, stock has been washed away, and hundreds of acres of crops are covered with 2ft of water.

Some stacks and stocked grain are also ruined, in many cases they are standing in paddocks of water. In the township of Temuka yesterday there was 6in of water in the shops in the main streets.

Storekeepers have suffered big losses. On the railway all traffic has been suspended from Timaru, owing to scours along the line.

Telegraphic communication was cut off, the poles being washed out' in the river beds north and south of Timaru.

There were several narrow escapes from drowning.

Three bridges in the Geraldine district were washed away, but there were no fatalities.

The rain cleared to-day, and trains are running. The telegraphic lines are being made good, and the roads are passable.