ALARMING FLOODS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9039, 14 February 1891, Page 3

ALARMING FLOODS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

(Pbb Unithd Pbkss Association.)

Nbw Pltmouth, February 13,

Owing to a heavy downfall of rain the rivers have swelled, and a fresh is running out. The Waitara river was too strong for the Gairloch to steam againsfc the current, so she came on to the breakwater. The low lands on the banks of the Waiwakiho are flooded, and a Chinaman's garden has been washed away and his horse drowned. Several culverts havo burst, and the water is up to within a few feet of tho floor of several bridges

Wanqanoi, Eebruaiy 13. Rain, which com«-aenced falling on Thursday night, continued with great violence until noon to-day, the total fall here up to 4 p.m. being 259 in for 31 hours. The river commenced to rise rapidly on Thursday night, and in the lower portion of the town at 11 a.m. yesterday it flooded tbe basements of the hotels and business places. Tho current iv the river and the water was very thick, with a strong sulphurous smell. Timber of aU kinds was brought down from the upper parts of the river besides Maori canoes, sheep, cattle, and furniture of all descriptions. Several gram stacks were also washed down. Opposite to tho town the Harbour Board's punt and dredge were washed out to sea. The bridge at Ngakougaro about seven miles from town was washed away, and the roads on each side of the river were greatly damaged. Tha water continued to rise uutil 2.30 p.m., and extended all along Taupo quay and the railway station, also up the Avenue for two chains, and boats and canoes wero used in the Btreets. Tho business stocks of Paul and Co. aud Thain and Co. bad to be removed, and wero fortunately saved. Tho water rose to within 4ft of tbe decking of the bridge, and came over tho wharf, fears boing held at one time for tho safety of the bridge owing to punts aud heavy timber crashing against ifc. Iho bridge, however, Btood firm and suffered no harm. Owing to the line beiug flooded between this and Marlon tho south train did nofc arrive, aud the passengers and mails were brought on by a coach provided by tbo railway department. The passengers going south left town at 3_ by coach for Martou, and arrived there in time to catch the train for Palmerston. The water is vow receding, but it is feared that whon high tide occurs at 2 am. thero will be another flooding of the streets. The water wss over knee-deep on Taupo quay, and old settlers state that the flood is tho highest one recorded; but there is a doubt about this, some asserting that in 1858 the water roso 15in higher. Rumours wero aboufc to-day that the Turakina railway and Wangaebu road bridges had been washed away, but this was found to be untrue, though the latter bridge is thought to ba strained, and if the water rises again it is feared it will be washed away. The water at Wangaehu on the Martou road waß waist-deep when tho coaches came through. The Maugawhero Road Board have notified that the road to Ngakongarois closed as dsngerous to trafiic, and it will take a lot of money to make good the damage. The Harbour Board are heavy losers through the loss of the punts and dredge. Should the water continue to recede, the railway authorities hope to havo the line reinstated by to-morrow evening. No damage was done fco the north line, and the afternoon train arrived from New Plymouth up to time. Woodville, February 13.

An extraordinarily heavy rainfall was experienced lasfc night, 4Jiu having fallen in 24 hours, which is the heaviest rainfall recorded here. All the rivers are in high flood. On tbe WoodvilleNap:?r line traffic has been stopped by a slipafc the Victoria and Mataiawa embankment, which has given way. A portion of the NapierPalmerston road has been washed away, and it is believed that there Bre heavy slips ou the Gorge lino. Heavy laudslips have occurred throughout the district. The Manawatu Gorge line is blocked by slips to the estimated extent of 15,000 tons of earth. The" road is also blocked by three slips. Wellington, February 13. _ Rain has been falling all night, and this morning ifc is coming down in torrents. The Railway Commissioners havo received^ telegram to the effect that s portion of tho railway line at Bonnie Glen, near Turakina, on the Palmcrston-Wanganui line, has been washed away by a flood, and ihat through traffic haa been impeded. Ifc is expected that an exchange of passengers can bo effected by the up and down trains, if the dray road is passable.