THE FLOODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7647, 21 August 1886, Page 2

THE FLOODS.

The water from the recent heavy rains has vow all subsided in the city, and also in tho suburbs with the exception of South Dunedin aud a part of Caversham. It will probably bo a few days yet beforo the Flat wears its usual aspect, as there is still about a foot of water in many places, and it is not getting away very rapidly. On making inquiries yesterday, wo learned that no material damage bas been done either to the Ross creek or Silverstream reservoirs. A number of small slips, however, have occurred on the race leading from the latter, which will necessitate the employment of a few extra men for a few days.

Rapid progress has been made by the railway authorities in clearing the lines of railway. The large slip at Seacliff was removed by 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon; and the water in the Oamaru district having sufficiently subsided to admit of a number of hands being employed on the railway, the line was put ill such a condition us to allow of traffic being resumed iv that locality. Other parts of the Northern line have also been cleared, with tbe happy result that the express train was able to come right through from Christchurch yesterday, only arriving here about half-an-hour beyond her usual time. It is intended to run two trains North to-day from Duuedin—ono to Christchurch in the morning and one to Oamaru in the afternoon. It is not anticipated that the Southern line will be ready for ordinary traffic before Monday. Trains will, however, run to Mosgiel to-day.

THE NORTH LINE. (By Ora Special Repoeted.)

The Railway department put on a special train for Oamaru yesterday morning; a start was made from the Dunedin railway station at half-past 9. There were very few passengers on board, only four in the first-class carriages and about a dozen second-class passengers. Several small slips were noticeable on the Port Chalmers line, but there was only one of any magnitude, and the engino was slowed down in passing it. At the Cliffs an engine with one or two trucks and a gang of men returning from the slips farther north were passed. The steps of the engino and van were covered with clay, aud the men looked as if they had not had a very pleasant job iv clearing away the debris. The journey round the Cliffs was made at a slow pace, but there seemed to be nd very great danger, there being only one small displacement of rotten rock which had just reached the sleepers. A heavy mist was falling iv the Blueskin district and a good deal of storm water was coming down the gullies from the hill slopes. A heavy ota was rolling into the Blueskin bay. At Seacliff the train was delayed for about three-quarters of an hour. For a distance of about four miles beyond Omimi dozens of 6lips have taken place. After leaving Seacliff the rate of speed was reduced, and a sharp look-out ahead was kept. The engine just grazed a couple of large slips on the left, while in one place on the right the embankment had slipped away right up to the sleepers. On tbe same side of the line a little farther north a portion of the embankment had slipped over the cliffs iuto the sea, but proper precautions seemed to have been taken to secure the safety of tho line at that point. The tender of the engine that had run into the slip on Wednesday was standing on a siding near the Puketeraki tunnel, and looked as if it had been pretty well buried in the clay. Gangs of men were busy at work clearing away some of the largest of the slips. A little distance beyond the tunnel a danger signal brought the train to a standstill, and the passengers were greeted with the cheerful intelligence that they would have to " get out and walk." It was at this point that the largest slip had occurred, and though a good deal of the stuff had been cleared away it was still impossible to get through, and the passengers and baggage had to be transferred to another train, which was wait- - ing a quarter of a mile farther on. A delay of about au hour occurred in carrying the mails and luggage from one train to the other, a work that was undertaken by guards, engine-drivers, and labourers with the utmost good-humour, amid a good deal of banter between passengers and officials as the latter passed on their way through the mud and the drizzling rain, laden with various kinds of merchandise. One man carried a roll of leather, and declared there was "nothing like leather," while another struggled along under the weight of two port, mauteaux and a bundle of papers, and yet an. olher hurried on with a caged parrot, which must have been thinking of the bright sunshine of his native land, or cogitating on the discomforts of railway travelling in New Zealand. The transference from one train to the other took some time, and one of the heaviest items on board, it may be mentioned, was that portion of the Otago- Witness which goes North, the parcels of papers weighing nearly one ton. ' Near at hand was the disabled engine, which seemed to bave had much the worst of its encounter with the clay bank; and in the foreground _ a group of Maori women, with " picaninies " on their backs, stood enjoying the novelty of the scene, which would have formed a good subject for tho pencil of a Graphic artist. At length, however, the difficulties of transhipment were got over, the ladies—of whom there were two in the North train—were safely piloted over the muddy track, and across the cattle-stops, and the passengers went on their way rejoicing. Their joy, however, was shortlived, for on reaching Blueskin information was signalled that a slip had taken place at the Cliffs. It proved to ba of no great extent, and after half an hour's delay the train proceeded, and reached Dunedin in safety. Among the passengers were a newly-married couple who were going to spend their honeymoon in Dunedin. They had taken three days to make the journey from Christchurch to Dunedin.

(Fbom Oue Own Coeeespondent.) Palmerston-, August 20. Although the ram has held off torday," tha weather is far from being settled, coming up agaiu to-night very thick from the north-west. The river is falling, but very slowly. If it keeps falling during the night Mr Robertson Intends in the morning making an attempt to get the sheep now imprisoned by the waters on to dry laud. He now calculates his loss will not exceed 200 head, if even that number; but of course he cannot state definitely until they are counted. These remarks also apply to Mr T. Muir. Since the river has commenced to fall the carcasses of cattle and sheep are to be seen in all directions, pointing to the .fact that heavy losses must have occurred up-country, but reliable information regarding the amount of damage done will not be obtainable for several days. The mails arrived to-day by road, and Sutherland made the attempt to carry the Naseby and up-country ones with a buggy. He went via Macraes and Hyde, tbe other road being impassable. He thought of making Hyde to-night, and attempting Naseby in the morning. Communication by rail is apparently oponed again. The Daily Times arrived about 11.30 this morning. The express from the north, and the 3.10 south train I arrived up to time. The following record of the rainfall has been kindly furnished me:—August 3rd,33; 4th,-69; 7th, -28; Sth, 162; 9th, '65; 12th,-78; 14th,-86; 16th, '72; 17th, 1-42: 18th 2-8S; 19th, 1^72; 20th, -18 ;-total for 12 days 1193 inches. v

There have been several narrow escapes from drowning m the Shag river during the present bad weather ('says the Palmerston Times). Mr Curry, a well-known resident, had a narrow escape whilst crossing the river on horseback. Horse and rider disappeared, and it was with the utmost difficulty they managed to get on to terra firma. Then two men, named respectlvely George Hurndell and George Cook, took a cart down to the river for some purpose or another, and in attempting to cross tho horse and cart disappeared and were carried down tho river, but ultimately got ashore. On Sunday Mr J. Kepu, whilo proceeding to Shag Point to hold services in connection with the Salvation Array, had a very narrow escape through horse and rider disappearingin the river owing to having missed the crossing. After them on Monday Mr Joyce, of Waikouaiti, whilst removing some of his furniture in a dray from there to Hampden, also had a narrow escape. He met Mr Service, who offered to pilot him across, and in doing so missed the ford and sank under wateiyJoyco following suit. After floundering about for some lime both parties reached the opposite bauk, apparently none the worse for their ducking.

Tho same paper gives the following particui lars regarding the drowning in the Waikouaiti river of James Annan:—ln company with another young man named Allcock, with whom ho had been rabbiting, deceased was on his way home; ou reaching tho ford opposite Mr H. Orbell's station they both mounted the one* horse, which, not being able to carry the load across the river, stumbled, letting both rijlers into the stream. Annan at once sank, and was not seen again, but his companion managed to scramble out. Up to the present the body has not been recovered, although his hat and a concertina which he had iv his possession at the time have been found.