CROPS RUINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 12

CROPS RUINED

HOMES FLOODED RIVER BURSTS BANKS DAMAGE IN CANTERBURY FARMS STRIPPED CLEAN

[BY TKLEGIIAPH —OWN COBREBPONDKNT] CHRISTCHURCIT, Friday

Bursting its banks at three places near Fernside, the Ashley River,- in high flood after yesterday's torrential rain, devastated thousands of acres of wheat crops, drowned hundreds of head of »tock, and caused much damage to tho homes of farmers from Coldstream to Waikuku Beach. Fortunately the wall of water did not take a direct course through Waikuku. Had it done so, it is considered by residents that nothing would have saved their homes from destruction. The flood swept down toward Woodend, cutting through tho Main North Road a few hundred yards on the north side of the Woodend Church, and ran to the north through Waikuku and on to the sea. There has never within tho memory of old residents been such a disastrous flood at Waikuku. Thousands of sheaves of wheat were tossed against fences and across roads, sheep, pigs, cattle and fowls were drowned, and houses were invaded, some to a depth of five feet. Standing crops have been ruined. The flood waters began to subside at Waikuku at about 4 o'clock this morning, and the level fell with surprising rapidity, but even lato this afternoon some of the roads wore under water to such a depth that cars could not get through, and as far as tho eye could see there were hugo patches of water covering farm lauds. Householders In Danger On one farm the loss caused has been estimated at £IOOO. Near bj T , at the Waikuku Wool Works, Limited's promises, tho damage has been estimated at moro than £2OOO. At Waikuku Beach the householders were in direct danger, and had tho tremendous pressure of water from the lagoon not forced an outlet to tho sea there would certainly liavo been a tragedy. On Mr. D. B. Robinson's property there were considerable losses of stock. Mr. Robinson and another farmer who had been helping him to bring in stock when the flood was breaking through the farm, had to swim for their lives. By their work that night Mr. Robinson and his assistant saved 60 sheep, but in the morning all but threo of these had been carried away by tho flood, and of a flock of 10.3 sheep only three remained. On a neighbouring farm owned by Mr. R. P. Robinson, of 12 acres of wheat not one sheaf remains.

At Waikuku portions of dozens of wheat crops were piled up against the rear wall of the open storage sheds on the premises of the Andrews Twine Company, Limited, which face the Main North Itoad. Hero and there the carcases of sheep were embedded in tlie pile of wheat, and the huge weight of the debris had pushed the wall of the sheds out of the perpendicular.

Farmers' Homes Inundated Messrs. J. Scott, J. Sincock and H. Tomlinson, and their families, had to leave tbeir homes, which were Hooded four feet over the floors, and the furnishings and personal belongings were badly damaged. Silt covered thp floors to a depth of up to 6in. Not a stook had been left of 50 acres of wheat on the farm of Stokes Brothers. Another farmer at Waikuku, Mr. J. Tall, lost 12 acres of wheat, 20 acres of white clover, and 20 acres of potatoes. He managed, however, to save all his stock. With the water billowing over its top rail, the lower Ashley Bridge on the main highway below Rangiora disappeared in the flood. On the south side Oft. of water covered the road, and a section of tho concrete paving was washed away. At 6 a.m. tho north branch of tho Waimakariri River was carrying more water than at any tiino since 1923. Only tlio diversion of tho Eyre River into the Waimakariri saved the Kaiapoi district from a repetition of the tragedy of 13 years ago.

RAIN IN SOUTH CANTERBURY DAMAGE AT BRICKWORKS [BY TELEGRAPH —rRKSS ASSOCIATION] TIMARU, Friday During the 24 hours ended at nino o'clock this morning the rainfall in Tiinaru was 5.79tn. In various parts of tho town much land was inundated. Damage amounting to over £SOO was done when the brickworks were flooded and 50,000 bricks were destroyed. NO DAMAGE IN DUNEDIN WATER SUPPLY BENEFITED [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Fridny After -several days of gloomy weather drizzling rain commenced in Duuedin yesterday afternoon and has continued since, with heavier showers during the night and throughout to-day. Conditions outdoors were unpleasant but no dainago or flooding is reported round tho city. On the Taieri Plains standing crops were slightly damaged. Crops in stook wero completely soaked, but tho extent of tho damage depends on tho nature of tho weather during the next few days. In North Otago the damago will bo moro considerable, as tho conditions were moro severe. Tho only interference with transport was on the road north of Glenavy, and there was a small slip on tho railway line at the Otepopo tunnel, near Hampden. Otherwise the roads are all clear and tho trains hnvo been running to schedule, apart from tho interference caused by blockages in Canterbury. Work on the waterfront was suspended. Tho rain is welcome as it has greatly increased the supply in tho reservoirs, which was so "low as to be causing concern. Tho total rainfall since yesterday afternoon is over 2.5 inches. Tho rain has extended south to Gore but has been chiefly coastal. No considerable falls liavo been reported from Central Otago.