FLOODS IN OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3298, 30 May 1917, Page 19

FLOODS IN OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

Early on Saturday evening a downpour | of rain of unusual severity commenced to fall in Dunedin and the surrounding districts, and continued with a steady persistence that gave promise of serious results i right throughout the night. A slight easftig ! Oil' was apparent on Sunday, but at intervals heavy showers continued to fail, i'he rain was of a particularly soaking variety, and the surface drainage off the higher levels soon made itself apparent in the rapid rising of the Lcith and the general saturation of the lower levels. One report states that close on two inches of ram fell during Saturday night in the upper watershed of the Lcith, and the downpour in that neighbourhood is stated to have been the most severe since that which caused the memorable flood in the North-East .Valley on Christmas Day of 1911. The rain gauge at the pumping station at Mus selburgh"registered a fall of 1.14 m between 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday, and at Opoho during the same period 150 points of rain fell. The rain seems to have been extremely general, as well a:; severe, throughout Otago, and in many places it has been accompanied by the flooding of rivers and the consequent loss of stock and damage to property The Taieri and Waipori Rivers were both in high flood on Sunday, and reports from Middlemarch state that- the flood is one of the most severe for many years. Little or no damage was caused by the downpour in or about the city, and the only effect was to cause considerable inconvenience by the cutting off of the power from Waipori throughout Sunday night and Monday. The city was largely in darkness on Sunday night, the few gas lamps remaining in various parts of the city being the only illumination. In private residences those who had discarded their gas fittings for the electrio light were put to somo inconvenience, as also were the congregations in a few of the churches. The electrio light was restored on Monday evening. From 8 p.m. on Saturday until 8 a.m. on Monday 263 points of rain wero registered in Dunedin. AT WAIPORI. The exceptionally heavy flood in the Waipori River 'resulted in the water finding its way into the Dunedin City Corporation's power house and among- the dynamos. ■Unfortunately one of these got wet, but the staff working energetically succeeded in keeping the other two dry. THE TAIERI. HEAVY LOSSES OF STOCK. (From the Daily Times, May 29.) On the Taieri Plain the heavy rain has had a disastrous effect. The plain is, in fact, one huge sea. In the Riverside district, on the banks of the Silverstream, the flood watei-s are very deep. Several farmhouses are surrounded, and the water made its way many of them. Yesterday afternoon the families were removed in boats. One boat was sent for by Constable Findlay, of Mosgiel, and a number of policemen went out from Dunedin to assist. A boat was also sent up from Elm Grove (Mr Kirkland's) and the two were used in rescuing. Those assisting m the boats were Messrs James Wilkie, David Owens, R. Inglis, F. Kovalefski, Styles, and Laughton. These men successfully accomplished the task set them. Amongst the houses submerged are those of Messrs Hugh and John Gamble, Renton, Douglas, Brcnnssell, W. Kirklaud, and Shard. It is difficult to estimate the losses. They will be heavy. Mr Alec Douglas (East Taieri) had some 750 sheep running- on what is termed the swamp. He received word about 5 p.m. on Sunday that the river was rising very rapidly in Otago Central. Knowing that the water would soon reach the plain, he and his son 6et off to the swamp property. A.* they did not return, fears were entertained for their safety, but on a boat reaching a house on the property referred to, and ocoupied by Mr Purvis, yesterday afternoon they wore found to be quite safe, although the water was in the building. Mr and Mrs Purvis and Mr Douglas and his" son were taken from the house in boats, the horses the Messrs Douglas had been riding the night before swimming behind. Mr Douglas does not yet know how many of his sheep were drowned, but the loss is considerable. They were all right at 8 o'clock yesterday morning, but. at that hour the waters rose rapidly and cut them off. At Henley the water was in the local store up to a depth of 6in. The day was spent in rescuing stock. The residents in the locality are complainin g about the railway bridge over the Silverstream, on the Outram lino. The spans aro very narrow, and in consequence quite a dam of rubbish collected and is blocking the water. Had the span been a wide one, the waters would have carried the rubbish right through. Some residents of Outram have had to stay in Mosgiel since Saturday. The Taieri River has overflowed its bank near Momona, and several residents had to leave their houses. In the Silverside district the water has dropped. 6in, and through the bursting cf the banks of the Taieri, the water made its way into the new Mosgiel Dairy Factory at Silverside. The branding shed and some timber required for cheese boxes were washed away. Had the bank not given way, it is hardly likely that tho water would have reached the factory. The remains of tho late Mrs W. Hewitt ■were conveyed yesterday from North Taieri to Mosgiel, the intention being to take the body through by train to Milton. _ There was, however, no possibility of it being carried through to the Milton Cemetery. Ten youn<r horses belonging to Mr L. C. Hazlett, which were marooned on a bit of high ground, saved themselves, as they swam to still higher ground. They must havo had a hard fight. They wero discovered yestorday by Messrs L. O. Hnzleit and ~. C. IT :/.'.!'. who h;:d secured a boat from-Dunedin. and wero driven from their precarious position down a narrow piece of fairly high ground to complete safety.

TAIEKI PLAIN UNDER WATER.

HEAVY LOSSES OF STOCK.

The Otago Daily Times and Witness Company sent a motor car south yesterday morning with the papers for the towns as far as Balclutha. The car, however, could only get within a mile of tho Dunedin side of Otokia, although tho water on tho main road at half-past 12 had dropped some 3ft within about four hours. The rapid drop of tho water was caused) by the banks; of the Taieri River giving way and allowing the flood to spread out over tho plain towards Berwick. From tho Main South road to tho foot of the Maungatua Hills is one vast stretch of water, only relieved by the hayricks and isolated houses. At the Henley railway station tho water at 8 o'clock yesterday morning had reached the window sill, but at half-past 12 it had fallen somewhat. At the Allanton railway station the line was covered to a depth of sft, and a hugo sheet of water, stretching away to tho Maungatua foothills, went surging along towards Henley at fully Ave or six knots an hour. Tho stationmaster .it Allanton, who had been sitting up with his wife, was rescued from his house at half-past 1 yesterday morning. The top of the picket fence surrounding the house — about 4ft 6in high—could just bo seen above tho rushing flood. The bridge at Allanton which crosses the river on the road leading to Outram was just clear of the water, but, of course, it was unapproachable from either side. A considerable number of cattle have been lost at Riverside, between the Outram railway bridge and the Riverside and Gladfield railway stations. A number of tho cattle could be seen floating in the water. At tho Riverside railway station the water was 10ft over the railway line, and in the paddocks alongside there was 16ft to 18ft of water. On Mr Gamble's farm, which is a small height above the surrounding country, there is 10ft of water. The cowbyro i 3 also on a rise, and in it there are about 40 cows and horses, with the water up to their backs. Mr Gamble's family and a Mr Murray had to take refuge in the barn above tho cowbyre, and they had had nothing to eat since midday on Sunday. Mr Anderson got to the barn in a boat yesterday morning, and later on in the day Mr Hepburn procured a boat from Mr Watson (Outram) and took some food to them, and also brought away two ladies. Tho menfolk aro carrying on, and hope to rescue the cattle and horses. SOME OF THE LOSSES. Mr W. Kirkland lost 14 brood sows; Mr J. T. Nimmo, a number of sheep; Mr Wm. Bryant (Wylie's Crossing) is reported to have lost 150 sheep from his farm at Otokia; Mr D. Cameron had some horses in a paddock near Outram. Efforts wore made to reach them on Sunday night by boat from Allanton, but owing to darkness the attempt had to be abandoned. What has happened to tho horses cannot yet be ascertained. Messrs Gibson Bros., North Taieri, are reported to have lost about 85 sheep. The bank of the river has broken badly at the place where the sheep were feeding. A police boat arrived from Dunedin yesterday afternoon, and took off all those settlers from tho vicinity of the Bush road who were willing to leave their steadings. Cattle were seen hanging in tho branches of the trees at East Taieri, and also at the Allanton bridge. There aro as yet -very meagre reports from up country, and those to hand state that the rainfall was very heavy, and "that slips and wash-outs have been general on some of the roads of the county. THE CLUTHA DISTRICT. At Balclutha the rain commenced to fall at 8.30. on Saturday night, and 'continued without intermission until 10 o'clock on Sunday night, tho total fall being 296 points. The river rose very rapidly, and by 8 o'clock en Monday morning was 15ft above normal. Owing to a ditch running across the south end of the town _ backing up all the low-lying land in the vicinity was submerged to a depth of several feet. A number of residents were forced to leave their houses on Sunday afternoon, and others were compelled to make a hasty exit during the night, some being removed in vehicles, while in other cases the men had to carry the women and children out. The Molynenx overflowed the recently erected embankment at Barnego, and all that portion of tho town was inundated to a considerable depth, ono family having to take refuge in the loft of a barn until rescued by boat on Monday morning. Mr Holgate, who owns some propertv in this locality, lost 350 sheep valued at £SOO. At Stirling tho damage sustained was very heavy, caused by the flooding of the lowlying business portion of tho town to a depth of about 4ft. Several families had the very unenviable experience of having to take refuge on the roofs of houses all night, and were only rescued yestei'day morning by means of a boat, which was taken down from Balclutha The whole of the Otnnomomo Swamp, extending right to Port Molyneux, is one vast sea of water owing to the flooding of the Pucraa and Waitapeka Rivers. It is feared that the loss of stock in this district will be considerable. _ The wholo of the railway line, from LovelV's Flat to Benhar is under water. A peoulior feature of tho flood in the Clutha district is that it is almost entirely local, and 's not due to a rise in the river in the back country, but has been caused by an abnormal rise in the Pomahaka and several of the small district streams. Half of the big bridge over the Pomahaka has been badly carried away. The river protective works stood tho tremendous sti-ain put upon them splendidly, but tho water trickled through in several places. All • yesterday gangs of from 50 to 60 men were engaged plugging the holes, end at night a big g"ng was engaged upon tho same task. Our Kaitangata correspondent telegraphed as follows yesterday :— Heavy rain has fallen here cinco Saturday night, and all the country between Stirling and Lovells Flat is flooded. It 5s tho biggest flood sinco

.1878. All the cattle wcro removed during- tho night, and mai:y families were forced to leave their homes. There is four feet of water on tho Stirling road, and communications arj blocked. The Kaitangata railway line is washed out in many places, and is completely covered by water. Railway traffic will not ho restored for at least JO days and this will mean enforced idleness for tho miners. Tho water is now backing up in the railway yard. Rain is still falling, but it is lighter. 'The prospects are not satisfactory. < ___ GORE FLOODED. GORE, May 28. Gore was visited by another flood to-day. This time, fortunately, it was in broad daylight. The event Was unexpected until tho late hours of last evening. Only 89 points of rain were recorded hero on Sunday morning, and 38 points this morning. A close watch was kept on tho river all night, and shortly after 4 a.m. an alarm was sounded by numbers of sirens to indicate that the river was rising rapidly. Between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. tho Mataura River rose nearly 3ft, and at 9.30 another sharp riso occurred. By 11 a.m. a great majority of tho shops and ground floor offices were inundated up to a depth of 2ft. Warned by the sirens, and remembering the flood disaster of 1913, the local tradesmen were at work early, removing their goods to safety, and the damage is really trifling compared with what occurred four years ago. It is understood that not a single tradesman failed to profit by tho warning. While the inconvenience will be considerable, the town will not suffer greatly. Light and power are cut off in tho meantime. The water is stationary in the town. Up country reports state that tho river is falling rapidly. FLOODS IN SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL, May 28. As a result of the continuous rain on Saturday and Sunday heavy floods have occurred in various parts of Southland. Washouts 6xo reported on all the branch railway lines, and traffic is practically suspended. The rain has now (11.30) ceased, but it will probably take a week to restore the damage. Mr iSamucl Templeton, whilst driving a trap and two horses from Mokotua to Waimahaka, was drowned in a part of the road that was covered to a depth of sft. Several witnessed the accident, but were unable to help, a large area being under water. Mr Templeton's widow is left with six children. Advices from different parts_ of tho province affected by the floods indicate that the waters arc rapidly receding, and that tho danger of any further damage is now past. Tho damage done is reported to be not extensive, but in the back country tho losses of stock are said to be considerable owing to tho rapidity of the rise in the rivers giving little time to remove stock. Railway communication has already been resumed on eome branches, and it is expected that it will be completely restored to-morrow. Only in the back country was the rainfall heavy, bringing clown the snow. FALL IN NORTH OTAGO. (From Our Own Correspondents.) DUNTROON, May 27. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 33 points. From 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. 135 points fell. Rain is still falling. TOTARA, May 25. The rainfall registered hero for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on the 23rd was 11 points, I and on the 24th 15 points. The weather still continues warm, and there is a growth. Tho moisture _ on turnip land has now penetrated 2ft 6in into the subsoil. HILLGROVE, May 28. The rainfall recorded at Trotter's Greek, Hillgrovo, for the 48 hours ending 9 a.m. to-day was 2.64 in. The rainfall for the month, with a few days to go yet, is 6.63 in —the wettest month recorded for four years. HEAVY FALL IN CENTRAL. OTAGO. RIVERS AND GREEKS FLOODED. (From Odb Own Correspondents.) KOKONGA, May 28. The rainfall registered here for the 48 hours ended 9 a.m was 250 points. This is the heaviest rain experienced here for some years. All the low-lying country is under water, and tho Taicri and other smaller streams are in flood. RANFURLY, May 28. The rainfall registered hero for the 48 hours ended 9 a.m. was 161 points. This is tho heaviest rain recorded for some time, and all, the creeks are in high flood. The Taieri is higher than it has been for some years. WAIPIATA, May 28. The rainfall registered hero for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on the 27th inst. was 110 points, and for tho 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day' it was 22 points. Tho Taieri River is up 3ft at Waipiata bridge, and tho low ground is flooded. The Styx flood waters have still to come down. NASEBY, May 28. Extremely heavy rain has fallen in Naseby for 36 hours. The weather is still dull and threatening, with a prospect of the rain continuing. LAUDER. May 28. Heavy rain has fallen for the last two days, and tho creeks and rivers are in flood. CROMWELL, May 28. A prolonged storm has prevailed during the last few clays. Since Wednesday rain has repeatedly swept the valley, with snowon the mountains. All clay on Sunday a cold rain fell, but not sufficient to cause anything in the nature of a flood. Although several of tho creeks are fairly high tho rivers are not at a high level. The storm has now cleared, and tho weather is fine. ROXBURGH, May 28. The weather, which has been threatening for several days, broke on Saturday night, with heavy rain, which continued steadily until last evening. All the creeks were very high, many overflowincr on to the main road' and doing considerable damage to culverts and depositing tons of debris on tho road. Most of the orchards suffered more or less, largo volumes of water cutting- through the cultivated land. Traffic is 'suspended between here and Alexandra and Beaumont, both roads being washed away in several places. Tho head of the borough water supply has been badly damaged, tho pipe lino being carried away.

THE TUAPEKA DISTRICT

WASH-OUT ON RAILWAY LINE. (Fsou Ooe Own Correspondent.) LAWRENCE, May 28. Owing to the floods Lawrence is practically isolated. The morning train could not pars Waitahuna, whero there is apparently a serious wash-out on the railway line. Though the flood hero was the heaviest yet experienced no serious damage is reported. About 2.30 this morning the Lawrence fire bell was rung as a warning that the flood water had reached Ros 3 place. The water at the lowest points in this, the main thoroughfare, ros9 to about 2ft, but little or no loss was occasioned, as the business people had removed their goods to a safe level. In cases where this had not been done those who turned out lent prompt assistance in shifting the goods in the shops threatened. By three o'clock the water had subsided, and all danger was at an end. WAITAHUNA, May 28.' The most severo flood ever experienced here occurred early on Sunday morning. Several residents had to leave their houses and tako refuge with friends living on higher ground. Tho whole of the township was under water, and thero was a depth erf 2ft or 3ft in some of the residences and shops. Messrs Herbert and Co.'s loss will be about £IOO, and several other business people have also suffered considerably. One farmer lost a large number of sheep. There is a wash-out extending over a-quarter of a mile on the railway line, and it was impossible to get trains through to-day. Tho damage to tho line is being repaired, and it is expected that the railway service will bo resumed to-rnorrow. The rain has now stopped, and the water is receding. THE TAPANUI DISTRICT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) TAPANUI. May 28: For 48 hours 5.02 in of rain fell here, and all the streams arc in flood. Kelso is under water, and there are 18in of water in tho dwellings, tho main street being a torrent. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s stock sustained damage. Tho Tapanui Flat was a sea of water yesterday. It is thought that the traffic bridge at tho Pomahaka siding will be damaged. The water was over tho decking at Conical Hills bridge. The most serious wash-out on tho railway is near tho Glenkenich siding, whero the concrete abutments of a bridge are washed away and over a chain of rails are swinging. One settler at Tapanui lost about 150 breeding ewes. Tho flood commenced to subside at 1.30 this 'morning. TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS. The railway services to the south were badly dislocated yesterday, as it was impossible to run trains beyond Mosgiel. It is not expected that the DunedinOutram line will be open for traffic for tho next three or four days. No trains can be run at present on the Catlins or Lawrence branch lines. The latter line should, however, be clear in a day or so. The Otago Central line is clear. The train to Clyde from Dunedin was about 4i hours late in reaching its destination yesterday, in consequence of slips in the Gorge. The Glyde-Dunedin train, however, arrived in Dunedin pretty well on time.