THE FLOODS AT CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7639, 17 May 1886, Page 5

THE FLOODS AT CHRISTCHURCH.

[BY TELHGBAPIf.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.! CuKisTCHOROH, Sunday. Yesterday's flood was the most severe ever experienced in Christchuroh, not excepting the great flood of IS6S, for that was confined to localities afftcted by river, whereas this was general. The rainfall for the 24 hours ending nine a.m., 6"98 inches, is unprecedented. Since that waa taken, I*l2 inches have fallen, making with Thursday's fall a total of S'S/ inches. During the gale the Avon rose about four feet in the town, 18 inches from the floor of some of the bridges. Shortly after noon the rain ceased, and the water began to abate. By dusk it had fallen 18 inches, and this (Sunday) morning the river was but little above flood level. Showers fell during yesterday afternoon and night, also this morning, and the weather is still gleomy, with south wind and showers. The principal mischief done by the river wason the nortl-eastern part of the city, where a large number of families had to bo removed from their houses, some of which were flooded three feet in depth. Carts oeut by the City Council aud boats were busy all the morning in rescuing these people. The adjacent suburbs in a portion of Avonside suffered similarly, and Oxford and Cambridge terraces were also flooded wherever the river bank is low, many people being'driven from their houses. The low-lying country between Christchurch and New Brighton was covered with water from the river, which, near New Brighton School, was over half-a-mile wide. In the south-eastern part of tbe city, round the Catholic church, the rain water formed a lake several acres in extent. Traffic on the Ferry Road was stopped, the fires of the tramway engines being put out by the water. Many residents of Woolston had to leave their houses, a man named Cord being rescued (after ho had passed the night on the roof of his house) at eight in the morniup. The water extinguished the fires of the engines at the drainage pump works. No serious damage to sewers has been reported. Tho South Belt was under water in several places, one of the worst being near the station. The railway lines wore not interrupted except at Little River, where the main bridge on the Akaroa Road was swept away. The Akaroii, Devauchelle's Bay, and Suraner telegraph lines were interrupted, but are now restored. At Governor's iJay a house belonging to Mr. Win. Cohnau was shifted by a landelip, and completely wrecked. The Sumner Road was blocked by a landslip. Tho main stream of Waimakiriri was only slightly iu the fresh, but the north branch was much flooded, although there was no appearance of damage.