STORM IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 10

STORM IN CANTERBURY.

SPECIAL FLOOD WARNING. WAIMAKARIRI RIVER DANGER. TELEPHONE LINES AFFECTED. [BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHUKCH. Monday. For tlio first time tho Government meteorologist for New Zealand has issued a special flood warning. At 11.15 a.m. to-day the following urgent message from Dr. *E. Kidson, at Wellington, was received in Christchurch"There is a likelihood of a further heavy rainfall m the ranges and a danger of high flood in Canterbury rivers. Please circulate this information." The staff of tho Waimakariri River j Trust has been prepared since yesterday to endeavour to cope with a big flood, and patrols are guarding all danger points in tho banks on the lower reaches. Reports received this morning showed that heavy rain was falling all the way up the river from Halkett, which is within 20 miles of Christchurch. Last night tho river rose to Bft. above normal, inundating the lower portion of Coutts Island, but this morning it had fallen by 2ft. 6in. The sudden rising of tho river was due to an exceptionally heavy fall of rain at Arthur's Pass late last night and in the early hours of yesterday morning. About 9in. of rain fell between 10 a.m. on Saturday and 5 a.m. yesterday, and this was accompanied by thunder and vivid lightning. The river in tho gorgo was soon a raging torrent. The beginning of the rise was noticed at Halkett at about 1 p.m. yesterday, and four hours later it set in at White's Bridge. Battling with high winds telegraph linesmen were fighting to-day to maintain communications. All over the province damage was done by tho big storm on Saturday night, and in the face of many difficulties much of the damage was repaired to-day. The worst break in the telephone system occurred between Bealcy and Darfield, where tho telephone lino connecting' Christchurch with Greymouth had been brought down. There was still a gale raging in that part of the province to-day, tho wind bringing with it pouring rain. Gradually, however, tho linesmen got tho wires joined again, restoring communication. Minor damage was done also north and south of Christchurch, but it was not sufficient to stop telegraph traffic. The gales resulted in tho power supply to various places ou Banks Peninsula being cut off.