DAMAGE BY FLOODS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12181, 4 July 1925, Page 6

DAMAGE BY FLOODS

MANY ROADS SUFFER IN CANTERBURY DISTRICT

NORTH ISLAND AREAS AFFECTED

REPORTED SERIOUS LOSSES OF STOCK IN SOUTH

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 3. While heavy damage has been done in the country districts as the result of flooding and farmers, local bodies and railways will all be called upon to contribute to a heavy aggregate repair bill the Christchurch City will have to meet a bill of costs running into thousands of pounds The weather of the past few days lias caused very heavy damage, the repairing of which will take some time and cost much money. “We have had most extraordinary rain, and it will cost us a considerable sum of money,” said the city engineer, Mr A. It. Galbraith. this morning. “Even our tar-seated roads are rapidly breaking and going into pot-holes. There is no doubt that from the road point of view, there has been thousands of pounds worth of damage done, and it will have to he made good. Even roads that were recently put in order are showing signs of. weakness. Along the tram tracks, where tar-sealing has been put down quite recently, there lias been breaking. A lot of these traclis were in perfectly good order before the rain hut look at them now. It only*shows the amount of lauiage that can be done by these heavy rains. Air Galbraith’s opinion that heavy damage had been done was confirmed by Mr E. P. Turner, engineer to the Christchurch Tramway Board. The tramway tracks, he said, had suffered severely and extensive surface repairs would be necessary. BRIDGE APPROACH GONE The approach to the Selwyn traffic

bridge, at Ellersmere has been washed away. The railway line is impassable and a number of people have, vacated their houses fearing a repetition of what occurred two years ago. The Selwyn, this morning, was not as high as it was in May 1923, but' it has risen to a level at which it is doing! very considerable damage. The approach to the traffic bridge was swept away last night in the same place as that in which flood waters broke through in 1923. On the other side of the railway bridge the line is covered for a distance of twelve chains. The railway line, it was stated, had not given way but the embankments, where extensive breaks occurred two years ago, were considered to be in so precarious a state, that at 4 o’clock this morning all further train traffic was stopped.

WORST FOR FORTY YEARS The areas of Canterbury, which were flooded were increased by yesterday’s warm wind, causing a sudden melting of the snow which has fallen in the past tew days. The position in tho Ashburton district is stated to be the worst, that has been experienced for forty years, and the settlers of Oxford and Ji'yrcton are emphatic in stating that they have not seen I similar conditions for thirty years. This afternoon, advice was received that Lake Forsyth was being let out so that each hour will improvo the position at Little River, parts of lvhich have been under four feet of water. The. railway traffic on the Midland 1 and Snuthbridge lines, have been interrupted, and vehicular traffic by road to many parts of Canterbury is quite out of the question. Luckily the Wnimakariri has not hroken its banks at any place, but the overflowing of the Eyre has been the cause of most of the damage. North of Christchurch, many bridges or their approaches have been swept away, isolating some sections of the farming community. Winter sown wheat crops in Ashburton district have been water swept and it is feared much stock lias been lost. A warm wind still prevails today, and not much additional rain has fallon. RIVER FALLING A later report states that no serious damage or loss of stock by flood lias been reported. Although the main south road has been declared closed, one or two motors traversed the danger area safely this afternoon, and passengers between Ashburton and Tin- 1 wald were conveyed across by carts, I which went in axle-deep. The water has started wearing away tho metal, and a serious scour is feared, but reports from the, high country state that the river is now falling.

AIL TRAFFIC STOPPED MANY ROADS IMPASSABLE. ASHBURTON, July 3. A sudden change of temperature after the heavy fall of snow resulted in the rivers rising rapidly and overflowing their hanks. The Ashburton river now is overflowing f.he Main South road at the traffic bridge, which has not been the ease previously. Many roads are impassable, though farmers in many cases removed stock from the danger points. Heavy losses are feared. The Ashburton river overflowed on to tho main south road, the first time on record. All traffic has been stopped to obviate danger from a washout, as the road is a built-up one. MOTOR-CARS SUBMERGED WATER FOR MILES. The road to Little River is practically under water all the way from Halswell. The Halswell river is in the heaviest flood known for 20 years, and from there to Motukarara only the crown of the road is visible. At Motukarara the water is right across the road axle-deep, and this state continues for some distance. Beyond Birdling’s Flat there are four, or five feet of water over the road. To-day two motor-cars, were submerged in this flood, and the hood of one is just showing above the water. The scene was that of a great sea of water extending for miles in all dirdttions. Fears are entertained of another south-west blow, which would have the effect of bringing the waters of Lake Ellesmere ‘ across. Apart from the

flooding there are seven slips between Birdling’s Flat and Little River. FLOUR RUNNING LOW NON-ARRIVAL OF SUPPLIES. WHAKATANE, July 3. The weather has turned very cold, and light rain is falling. Owing to the non-arrival of the boat last week flour supplies are running low.

IN MARLBOROUGH

TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED HEAVY RAIN FOR A WEEK. BLENHEIM, July 3. There lias been heavy rain all over the district for the past week. The rivers are much swollen, but there is no risk of floods so far. A part of the northern end of the approach to the Wairau bridge on tile Blenheim-Nelson road was washed out last night, also one tier of piles in the actual structure The bridge had been closed for repairs for six weeks, nhd was only reopened last night. Now, of course, it is again closed. The approach to the Hapuku bridge, on the Blenheim-Kaikoura road, has been washed away. The BlenheimChristchurch mail will be interrupted for some time. THREAT OF FLOOD OVER TRAINS RESUME SERVICE. DUNEDIN, July 3. The flood threat appears over. The Taieri river is down a foot at Outram, and two feet at. Middlemnrch. The trains have resumed on Otn <jo Central. Where tho engines weTo derailed by fallen rock a short deviation has been made. Tic Mount Allan-Qutram train has been cut out.

WAIKATO OVERFLOWS

RAILWAY UNDER WATER' AUCKLAND, July 3. The latest report regarding the floods at Mercer is that the Waikato river is still rising, and to-night was only about ten inches from the toil of the Mercer wharf. The river was expected to rise still further, and the water is now flowing direct from it into the railway station yard, and is only six inches below the platform, The main line is under water for almost the whole length of the station. The road between Ohinewai anti Rangiriri is completely submerged for a mile and a -half.