THE WAIMAKARIRI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18573, 27 November 1920, Page 8

THE WAIMAKARIRI.

V - / IN HEAVY FLOOD. Keen anxiety was caused by tho BWollen condition of the Waimakariri River yesterday and on Thursday ; it being feared that a serious flood might take place. At high tide at four o’clock yesterday, however, the water was no higher m the north branch than it would have been in the case of an ordinary spring tide. At • Bealey the water was five feet above tho normal mark. Yesterday evening the river Was reported to have gone down, but a possibility still existed, it was stated, of a rise during the night. The rise could not be accurately forecasted, as men having a lifetime’s experience of the river say that it is never possible to state beforehand what may occur. By eleven o’clock last night, however, an overflow wrs reported between White's Bridge and Chaney’s Corner, there being quite three. feet of water on the road at that particular spot. Thursday afternoon’s high tide, combined with the heavy water brought down through the fierce nor’-wester and tho rain in the inland districts, caused the river to flow fully from bank to bank, with overflows in various parts. The more serious overflows occurred at (Joutt’s Island. The early reports were somewhat exaggerated, as there was no extensive “ inundation,” but had the water risen another two feet, a flood must have oocurred. Fortunately the water ceased risiug when close to the top of the northern bank, and the receding tide averted the immediate danger. The girder bridge was subjected to a heavy strain, but no breakdown resulted, although the water touohed the bottom main girder of the bridge. The river broke away a little higher up, but no serious harm was done.

Around Chaney’s Corner the water came right over the main road, the marks on the telegraph posts, as seen yesterday morning, showing that it must have covered the road from 3ft to 4ft. The worst patches, yesterday, wore between the Belfast Hotel and White’s Bridge, but traffic could get through, including motor-cars, horse carts and even a traction engine. A great spectacle was available from White's Bridge, the rushing waters, bank to bank, swirling swiftly past the structure, ana within seven feet of the decking. Round about Mason’s Flat tho river got over in one section, and some of the ooncrete at one of the groynes was sooured away, but no serious damage ooourred.

Stewart’s Gully appears to have been little affected, and indeed it was the expressed opinion of the members of the Waimakariri River Board, Messrs 11. E. Peryman, J. P. Lee, J. Leslie, A. S. Bruce and F. E. Jones, who with Mr 0. W. Hervev, motored out yesterday morning to the threatened vicinity, that the only real danger spot w r as the north branch of the river.

Mr George Gould, who has a property at Coutts Island, stated yesterday that ho regarded tfie flood so far as of a secondary character. It was not eo serious aa that which happened about two years ago. Another two feet, however, would have made a vast difference.

Arrangements have been made with the Canterbury Aviation Company for Captain Gray to make a flight over the Waimakariri if the flood prospects become serious. Photographs will be taken of the flooded area from Stewart’s Gully upwards, aa it iB expected that such photographs will be or assistance to tho board in its future operations. Tho opinion was expressed in Kaiapoi yesterday that great assistance would be rendered the community there and that of the surrounding districts if progress reports of the flood were dispatohed from Bealey from timo to time. At present ,only one notification may be received during the day, and this is stated to become unreliable in' the course of a short time, aa the river conditions ohanga so quickly. AN AERIAL VIEW. A fine view of the flooded river was obtained yesterday morning from the cockpit of an Avro aeroplane, piloted by Captain' Douglas Gray. Leaving the aerodrome at about 9.30 a.m., with Mrs G. E. Rhodes and Miss Shona Rhodes as passengers, the machine was out for about thirty-five minutes, flying over Belfast and the bridges towards Kaiapoi. Pilot and passengers reported a very wonderful right. The Waimakariri river, running very strongly, extended from bank to bank, and had gone over the bank to the north-west of Belfast, and also on the northern side of the river opposite Belfast, flood-, ing many paddocks. The stream had flooded islands in the riverbed, and only the tree tops could be seen.m several places.