CANTERBURY FLOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22827, 11 March 1936, Page 10

CANTERBURY FLOODS

POSITION AT LITTLE RIVER LAKE RISING STEADILY RESIDENTS BECOMING ALARMED (I’kij Umtkd Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, March 10. Late this evening the indications were that the flooding at Little River, which had caused so much damage and inconvenience on Monday night, might be repeated. Heavy showers of rain had been falling again. Lake Forsyth was rising steadily, and it appeared that if the downpour continued for any time the residents in the lowest areas might have to be taken from their homes. Water had again covered the road all the way from Birdlings Flat to Little River, and the water was right up -o the OkutiKinloch road. The residents in this district and at Little River were then anxiously watching the rise of the flood. The inconvenience at Little River was aggravated by a failure of the power supply, and broken pipes caused a shortage of water for many homes. The peninsula generally seems to have suffered far worse than other parts of Canterbury where the flooding was heavy. The most serious damage w'as done to the main roads.

From most settlements yesterday came reports of roads blocked by more or less serious slips and washouts. By far the worst experience was at Red John’s Gully, ou the main Christchurch-Akaroa highway, about a mile on the Christchurch side of the hilltop. There a huge slip swept down the hillside, buried three chains of road in 12 feet of mud and slush, and fell down into the valley. It will take until Thursday for the workmen to construct a usable track over this slip, and many days before it can be cleared. To-day passengers and goods had to be transhipped across.