THE WAIMAKARIRI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1113, 11 July 1863, Page 4

THE WAIMAKARIRI.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —As I find that a good deal of alarm is felt in Christchurch owing to a rumour being spread that the Waimakariri has broken through its banks, and may be expected to overwhelm a portion of the town in its progress to the sea, I think it right to inform the public, through you, that I have just returned from an inspection of the river, or rather of that part of which has left its usual channel, and that I can confidentally affirm that no alarm whatever need be felt on the subject. A considerable amount of water has found its way from the river into the old river bed, and when I left the spot at nine o'clock this evening, it had reached to within a quarter of a mile of Mr. Templar's station, and was gradually making its way towards the sources of the Avon, but the progress of the stream was so slight as to show clearly that 110 breakage had occurred in the river bank. In fact, the water now making its way down the old channel, is simply an overflow owing to an unusually high fresh, and such being the case, it is safe to subside in a few hours. We may certainly expect the Avon to rise somewhat above its usual height, in the course of the next day or two, but not to an extent to do any damage; and I believe that the ultimate result of this very high fresh in the river will be a beneficial one, as it will shew beyond dispute which is the proper place at which to take the necessary precaution to ensure the future safety of the town. That works can be carried out to ensure this desirable result is to me a matter of no doubt, and it is still less a matter of doubt that they ought to be undertaken at once. JAMES WYLDE,