FLOOD IN THE WAIRAU

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 216, 19 September 1911, Page 5

FLOOD IN THE WAIRAU

COACH UNABLE TO GET

THROUGH

The rain which fell in heavy showers yesterday and threatened to continue throughout last night cleared off, and there now appears to be every prospect of the weather becoming fine. ' .

There are reports from various sources which indicate that the rainfall was a very heavy one, and that traces of flood-waters are to be seen in many places. THE NELSON COACH. The Nelson coachman and the passengers on board had a trying time when coming round by Tua Marina last evening. For several miles the road and the country was flooded, there being as much as seven or eight feet of water in places. Of course, this was not on the road. , Mr G. Newman had5 a difficult task in getting round, as there was not even a,post to mark the road. However, by,good horsemanship he piloted his, freight safely into town,, arriving at 7.30 p.m. One of the passengers on thie coach, informed an Express reporter this morning that at times the coach was on an angle which, sent a thrill of J fear through everyone; but these occasions were rare,; and with but one j or two exceptions .the coach, was kept j on the road in a manner tha,t silrprised all but the driver. The fenceposts were cqyered in many places, indicating that a great depth of. water covered the land. It was reported that the railway line at Tua Marina had bee^ washed away, but upon investigation this morning this proved to be incortfeet, as the train came: through from: Pio ton as usual this morning. '

THE WAIRAU BANK-HIGH| The Wairau River is in high floods in : fact, it is bighjer than it has been for the past five years, and is ranging bank-high. The water from this stream has backed up into some drains at Spring Creek, and the water was across the road at the Ferry Hotel this morning. The damage done to th« land flooded is not asceirtainable at; present,; but; it,is Foljeved; that it will be something considerable! V'V'\ ■'.". '-THE' OPAWA. y y■ ' The Opawa River is-carrying a lot of water, end a very swift current is running in it. , COACH PUTS BACK. Newman's coach set out for Nelson ■ this morning, but had to put back owing to there being too much, water on the road. It is.believed that the road will be clear for traffic to-mor-row morning. THE ALFRED STREET BRIDGE. The heavy rain caused the western approach to the Alfred Street bridge to sink in a lot, and the Borough workmen were engaged in repairing the damage this morning. It is not serious, and is merely the result of the recent filling-in settling down. THE OMASA. Although there is a fair quantity of water in the Omaka,- there is no current, and consequently; there \ is little prospect of any damage being done. Of course, in one or twp places where tjie banks gave way during the recent ood one or two small earthslips occurred; but these were not of any consequence. , _.'_ HEAVY SNOW. '. . -, ( . A heavy #all of snow in the high back country took place last night, and it is believed that this caused a flood to be averted. A RUMORED WASHOUT. A report was current this morning that a washout had occurred on the Picton line between Koromiko and Tua Marina, but this proved to be merely a rumor. The only thing in the form of a washout was the approach to a bridge which was slightly damaged, but was repaired in a few minutes yesterday.