GREAT FLOOD AT THE THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2520, 22 February 1872, Page 3

GREAT FLOOD AT THE THAMES.

BURSTING OF THE MOANATAIRI CULVERT. Towakds mid-day yesterday the wind moderated, and the rain fell in steady torrents. For some days past workmen have been engaged in elearing out the Moanatairi culvert, and had left off their work about the centre of Coromandel-atrect, nearly opposite the Prince AlfreJ Hotel. About three o'cleek the culrert burst at this part, also further up, and at once Convertoi Ooromandel-etreafc into a river Those in charge of the Manukau battery fought vigorously against the water, aai\ successfully for a time, but at length it jvas too much for them, and they had to Btop work and close the batteiy. As may bo supposed, the houses on the' Jbeach line were tloded, and the shopkeepers and householders were busy in the rain taking measures to prevent their property being Bu'?pt avr/iy by the torrent. Meeting the waters of the Waiofcahi; about the yard of Messrs. Briton and Co., the combined streams threatened to carry off a large quantity of the timber stacked there. Mr. Briton and Mr. llcVey *vere, however, on tile look out, and by rigorous measures saved themselres from loss. The greatest amount of damage by the flood has been done in tho Caledonian yard, by the overflow of the Waiotalii. Of course, all culverts and watercourses were utterly insuffinifinh. n.nrl n. art*n.t vnlnmp nf

suuicient, ana a great volume ot water rushed through the Caledonian yard, carrying away the foncing, and tong upon tons of valuable tailings. Most of theso tailings were sold a few days ago to Mr. J. Brown and Mr. Masters, at about £1 per ton, so that these gentlemen will bo heavy losers. The street in front of tho battery was noarly knee-deep in a broud stream running across it, aud flooding tho premises between tho lower side of tho roadway and the beach. Strenuous exertions were made iu the afternoon to save the tailings, but to- [ wards evening hopo and effort seemed to be abandoned, aud the waters did as they list. Several small boys, however, took advantage of tho flood, and interpreting the law of jetsam and flotsam in their favor, Ihoy made small rafis of the palings and timber floating about, and steered them along the stream towards their homes. A strong current of the Waiotabi waters ran along the water table of Owen-streot towards Williamsonstreet, where it passed off to the boach. Albert-street was nearly knee deep all over for some hours, and, if the tide had been high, considerable damago must have been caused by the flooding of business premises. The Karaka rose rapidly yesterday, and towards evening overflowed its channel in many pluces, carrying away considerable quantities of firew-od and timber. At the

Pollen-street bridge tho stream laid the whole of the allotment on which the Presbyterian Church stands under water. The Junction Hotel was surrounded by the flood, which poured down Pollen-street towards the WaioKaraka channel. Up to this point, however, the centre of the street remained clear, but from this to Albert street the water was nearly knee-deep on the crown of the road, and of course cut off access to nearly all the houses in the neighbourhood. Somo damago has, wo beli.we, been done to shopkeepers between the Karaka bridge and Albert-street, but not to any great extpnt. The Tararu Creek, having its source far back amongst the ranges, rose high early in the day, and to a height which thoso who have lived there since the opening of tho goldfield have never seen equalled. A now waterwheel is being put up at Messrs. Broivn and Co.'s tailings establishment, and shortly after midnight it was thought advisable to shut up the establishment, and put on all hands to making preparations to secure the work in progress from dumiige. These preparations were completed before the flood reached its height, and were found elTective. We do not think that any great damage has been done in Tararu.—Advet User, February 21.