WAIMAKARIRI FLOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20060, 29 March 1927, Page 10

WAIMAKARIRI FLOODS

REPAIRING THE DAMAGE. A TWELVE-MONTHS’ TASK. (special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 28. Heavy expenditure on the Midland line faces the Railways Department, and the local engineers are of opinion that practically continuous work protecting the embankments will be necessary for the next 12 months. Most of the work will be in the nature of repairs to groynes and weakened banks. Both the Bealey and Waimakariri Rivers are giving a lot of trouble through erosion caused by the floods. By working long shifts in almost continuous rain, and with the river constantly washing away the gravel as it was shovelled into the gap below the suspended sleepers, the repair gangs closed the breach between Cora Lynn and Arthur’s Pass by Sunday, and diverted the stream back from the permanent way. Further heavy rain yesterday caused a sharp rise in the river and necessitated further protective measures, but to-day normal traffic was resumed. Although there is a subsidence of 2ft to 3ft at the break, it is expected to have the line built up fully by the end of the week. MORE HEAVY RAIN. RIVER AGAIN IN FLOOD. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH. March 28. As the result of further continuous and heavy rain and snow in the hills yesterday and to-day the Waimakariri was again in flood this evening, being 3ft Sin above normal at 10 p.m., when it was reported that the river was steady. Thursday’s flood, whicu broke the bank at AVright’s farm was 10ft above normal. There was a large volume of water pouring through the break in the bank and the Main North road was again blocked to motor traffic from 6 o’clock this evening, cars having to be towed through the stretch under water. Reports from Bealey and other stations in the upper reaches of the river indicate that the flood will not be serious, and no further dancer is anticipated at present, as the result of the broken bank.