The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 23, 28 January 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1867.

The weather which has been broken for several days past, culminated yesterday in a storm, which at one time threatened to bring on a flood equal to that of February last. There is no certainty at present, that the rain is over, but we sincerely trust we are not going to have a repetition of last night's weather. Steady, settled rain came on about 6 p.m., last evening. It increased in violence as the night advanced. Then it became evident from the war of distant thunder and the lightning which seldom ceased throughout the night, that a heavy storm was spending its rage on the western mountains. We may safely say that few persons slept tranquilly, if they did at all, from the elemental war that prevailed, and the anxiety they felt respecting' the results to which it might lead. We are happy, to say, that the flood which has resulted from last night's rain has not been so severe in its consequences as that to which reference has been made. Last year the rain came from an easterly direction, this year it set in from the mountains of the west. Up to four o'clock this morning, the Maitai had not risen much above its usual level, and although it rose several feet by nine o'clock, the rapid subsidence of its waters proved that no great volume was to be expected in that direction. The Brook-street stream also has caused damage to some extent, but has not produced the desolating effects that led' to such suffering last year. The bridges have not sustained much injury, with the exception of the roadway of that at Nilestreet, which will cost a little to effect j the repairs required by the flood. It was apparent to a person coming down the Waimea Road this morning, that the rush of water was from a southwesterly direction. The brooks had swollen to foaming torrents, thei road was knee deep in water in many places, and the fiats adjoining the road were completely swamped. At an early hour of the morning cabs were largely in requisition to convey persons who were unable to pass low spots flooded by . the water. All around the Post-office an immense •sheet of water was presented to the eye, the road to the port was impassable as well as thafc through the Toi-toi and Washington Valleys. Ifc is scarcely necessary to remark that many of the warehouses and cellars in the low part of the town have been laid completely nnder water. Several of the tradesmen ia Bridge-street, and parts adjacent have sustained serious loss to goods <*t varices kmi. At no previous floods

have so many land slip3 been everywhere seen. In every direction they may be seen injuring gardens, sweeping away fences and causing losses too numerous to mention. The ground having been saturated with water from the previous rain, has completely given way from the storm of last night, in some cases causing serious alarm to the inmates of the houses built contiguous to them. Tn no p ,r is this more conspicuous than at the : % where the house of Mr. Scott has been removed from its site, and that of Mr. Wright considerably endangered. Several persons in the Wood have to lament this sort of thing ; and Mr. Fisher, of the Brookstreet Valley, is a considerable sufferer by the moving of his house. We much fear we shall have to record the damage sustained by the farmers from the overflow of the Wairoa and Waimea rivers. Many of them have their crops out, and they could hardly escape the sudden rise of the waters this morning. Numerous instances of damage sustained by individuals in town and country have reached us, but we refrain from publishing them till the statements are verified by subsequent information. It is grievous to think how many fine crops of corn and hay will be rendered almost useless by the prolonged wet weather, and it is sincerely to be desired that we have got to the end of the wettest summer season the oldest inhabitant can remember. j A telegram sent from Wellington to i Mr. Levien, of this town, states in reference to the late seizure of gold at Havelock, that the gold is to be returned to the I owner, and that the conduct of the officer , in calling Mr. Levien a thief, liar, and \ other offensive epithets, will be investigated at an early date. '' It will be seen from our advertising columns, that, in consequence of the bad weather, the address of the Superintendent to the electors, announced to be delivered this evening, is postponed till Wednesday evenmg next. In the last verse but one, of the poetry, contributed by Old Geoffry, on Saturday last, a misprint occurs. For "Synarites," read "Sybarites." We are glad to see from the West Coast papers, that his Excellency the Governor has been enthusiastically received at Hokitika, which place he reached on Thursday last. The public bodies appeared to vie with each other as to which should give him the warmest reception. The spontaneous burst of good feeling which the miners have shown towards the Queen's representative, is as conclusive of their loyalty and patriotism as it must have been pleasing to the recipient of the popular honors.