FLOODS IN OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3316, 3 October 1917, Page 43

FLOODS IN OTAGO.

AN ABNORMAL RAINFALL.

TAIERI PLAIN AGAIN INUNDATED

THE CLTJTHA VALLEY.

Tho rain which commenced to fall on Tuesday, 25th ult., appears to have been general throughout the southern and- central portion of Otago and in Southland. In some parts it eased off about tho middle of tho day yesterday, but towards evening it recommenced, and. the outlook is anything but bright. Taieri farmers aro again heavy sufferers, although there losses of live stock are not likely to bo heavy, as the timely warning given- by Mr W. D. Mason and others up-country was promptly acted upon. Tho rainfall registered on tho Leith watershed up till 7 p.m. on Wednesday was 3£in. All along the railway line from Invercargill to Dunedin there is evidence of the rainfall. All streams aro swollen, and many roads aro submerged. Water was running across the Pukcrau township roads and tho Waikaka Valley was almost a sheet of water.

THE TAIERI.

LOW-LYING AREAS FLOODED

MOSGIEL, September 26 (4 p.m.) Very heavy rain has fallen since mid-day yesterday. At time of .writing 130 points have been registered. As tho effects of tho flood in May, and later falls ""of rain, had not totally disappeared, it was very soon observed that Taieri was in for another flood. All the smaller creeks "were in flood this morning, and as tho day wore on reports camc > to hand from Otago Central that the Taieri was rising rapidly, and settlers could_ expect a good deal of flood water before nightfall. Tho Silverstream rose about 6ft or 7ft above normal, and early in the afternoon had commenced to spread over the low-lying portions of the district. Berwick reported that the river was bank high there, and was lipping over at several points. In places where the water lay for weeks after'the Mav flood the grass rotted, and what would have made early feed is now not available.

Tho bridge on the Outram-Maungatua road has been carried away. The water scoured out the approach, and the bridge fell in. This means that the Otokia-Mau-ngatua road is blocked to traffic.

(From Otago Daily Times, September 27.) The Taieri presented a desolate appearance yesterday. Intermittent rain showers fell all the morning, and wide expanses of the plain were under water. The flood was not as bad as that experienced on May 26 and 27, but it was quite bad enough. Fortunately the worst appears to be now over, and at midday yesterday the flood waters running into the Taieri from the Outram Gorge had commenced to a considerable decrease in volume. The water at the Outram bridge was falling fast —it was estimated that it had fallen 3ft since the early morning—but the approach to tho bridge from the Mosgiel road was still impassable for vehicular traffic. Tho Main South road and the railway line were well clear of the flood waters. The Taieri River, however, again broke its banks just near the Otokia bridge, and the water rushing through the gap was mainly responsible for the flood which spread in one vast volume across towards Berwick. The flood in this locality showed an inclination yesterday morning to increase, and at Otokia and about the Henley railway station the water rose Ift between 9 and 10 a.m. At Allanton the railway station and the bridge are in no danger at present —in fact, the conditions here are as nothing compared with those ruling in the May Hood. The Mosgiel-Outram roa'd i 3 blocked, and the train was unable to run, there being 32 inches of water on the line.

The low-lying country alongside Maungatua is flooded with the water which Sowed through the breaks at Otokia near the properties of Messrs Beattie and Sparks. Lee Creek appeared to be holding all the water that it was expected it would carry.

Reports from Outram state that the river had not risen within 4ft 3in of the May flood, on a mark on the bank at Wylie's near the bridge. ' Although ample warning was given to tho Taieri farmers all stock was not removed before the flood water spread, and cattle yesterday were being driven through water to the higher country. So far no losses of stock have to be recorded. The rainfall registered at Mosgiel for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. yesterday' was 173 points. The position at East Taieri is not so bad as in May. Tho river was rising very slowly at 9.30 yesterday lin per hour. The flood waters are about 6ft lower than in May. Boats are in use to get about the houses that are surrounded with water. The Otokia and Henley districts aro suffering more severely on this occasion. « Berwick reports that tho river roso to within Ift or 18in of the May flood, and, subsided a few inches yrr' rday morning/ Tho Outram-Berwiek road is passable to wheeled traffic. The rainfall registered at Momona to-day was only 6 points. For the 24 hours ended 9.30 this morning 191 points were registered. Sinco tho rain began on Sunday 3|in have fallen. A" Momona farmer laments the flood very much. Ho said tho May flood was not so serious, as in the present caso crops wero in, young grass was coming away well, and dairy cows wero coming to profit. The present flood would put everything back, and ruin many fields. He quoted an instance of a crop of 10 acres of potatoes' that had just been planted and was now under water; and of another, where stock which had been pasturing at Otanomomo (Clutha) wero brought homo to tho Taieri last week, and now had no alternative but tho hills. The present water will, in all probability, lio for sonio weeks and hinder farm work very much. Tho Silverstrcam has fallen to about 2ft above normal.

In tho North Taieri and "Wharo Flat localities no damago to stocky or washouts on tho roads are reported. It is feared that thcro will bo a big mortality amongst lambs

in this district. Thore is a lot of surface water lying about. Tho country around Allanton has suffered severely as a result of the flood, and apparently the current at one stage was so strong as to wash out a. couple, of standing gum trees of from approximately 18in to 2ft in diameter. In other parts between Allanton and Otokia, and further on towards Henley, wire and gorse fences were in parts completely submerged. The top of a post was visible here and there, whilo gorse tops were only noticeable in parts where .there was a rise, in the ground. _ After leaving Henley, as far as the plain could bo seen in a north-westerly direction there was practically one sheet of water, with trees and buildings dotted hero and there. Near Waihola tho flat land on either side of the railway lino was covered with water, but the depth was not comparable with that around Henley, Otokia, and Allanton. Tho creeks and rivulets running into tho Taieri were all overflowing their banks, and the Taieri was bank nigh in places. Long stretches of fences were swept away by the flood on tho plain side of the line, and this alone will represent a heavy loss to landowners, particularly with tho present high cost of fencing materials, to say nothing of tho early crops which will bo damaged. Below Waihola there are large areas partly covered by water, but tho depth is not great, and with a couple of fino days the water in this locality should disappear. Tho depth of tho water on the parts most affected can be best gauged by tho fences. At one railway crossing a fivebarred gate had only tho top bar visible, whilo at another only the tops of the gate posts could bo seen. It was noticeable that the waters had recoded a good deal last evening. MOSGIEL, September 28. There is little change to report in the condition of tho Taieri floods. The smaller streams have fallen a good deal, while the Taieri River is down almost Ift, and tho Silverstream now stands at Ift above normal. There is practicaLy no difference in the water lying on tho paddocks in East Taieri, whilo at. Momona the water is backing up further, and is also spreading over the swamp there near Shennan's ahcl beyond Moynihan's and Mitchell's. The residents expect that it will continue spreading, as it did last May, right over to tho west of the plain. The water on the approach to the Outram bridge has subsided a few inches, but tho bridge is not safe, for traffic. •Momona advised at midday that the water was making across tho Maungatua-Momona road, and if it did so to any depth—as in May—it would take from six weeks to two months to clear away. The water was spreading further on to the paddocks. Where Hooding is taking place at present, near Momona township, it is not feared that it will lie very long. There is a good depth of water on the road at Henley Dairy Factory.

HEAVY RAIN IN OLUTHA VALLEY

DANGER NOW PASSED

BALCLUTHA, September 27. For the second time within a few months Balclutlia has been threatened with a flood. After a spell of summer-liko weather, heavy rain set in on Tuesday evening about 6 o'clock, and by 7 a.m. on Wednesday 110 points had been registered. The rain continued to fall almost without cessation throughout the day, and frequent heavy showers fell during Wednesday night. From 7 a.m. on Wednesday till 7 a.m. to-day another 72 points had been recorded. For the third time this season the ditch running across the south end of the town backed up, and by Wednesday morning a considerable portion of the southern end of the borough was under 'water. By this morning the flood water had risen considerably, and almost the whole of the land immediately below Eyrie street was submerged, only the tops of the fences being visible. Francis street was under water, and was not negotiable by pedestrians or vehicles, but fortunately Clyde street was still passable for traffic, though the footpath for a short distance was submerged. A careful watch was kept on the River Board's steamer, which was berthed at the wharf near the railway yards. All timber and anything likely to float away was tied up, so that there was no loss in this respect. , Work on the railway embankment which is in cours© oi formation at the southern end of the town was not sufficiently far advanced to stay the water. The back-water rose to a higher level than the river, coming in by a smaller vjaduct near the steamer landing, and not being able to gain exit at tho other structure. Considerable water flowed over the top of the bank and washed a gireat deal of the silt away with it. When tho waters subside it is expected that a considerable portion of tho bank already formed will bo broken down through erosion. The work was suspended and an anxious watch kept by those in charge of tho bank. Tn this locality by this morning the waters had l-eachcd a level as high as in the flood of 1904. The borough reserves presented a dismal aspect to-day. Tho whole of the land from the railway bridge to the steamer landing on the river side of the line was one great lake of water. This will "destroy tho scanty feed that was available for tho stock of those holding "-grazing licenses. The Finegand road to the freezing works was under water to-day, and was not used. DWELLING HOUSES SUFFER. The residents of the flooded areas left 'nothing to chance, their experiences of the last flood being such that no wish for a repetition waa held. Furniture and all removable articles were taken to places of safety. The house occupied by Mr A. Buchanan was tho first to bo entered by tho waters, but others_ in. that vicinity were soon in tho same predicament. RIVER RISES 11 FEET. Tho Clntha River had risen to the 7ft mark by 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, and continued to rise steadily during the day. By 5 o'clock tho 9ft mark had been reached, and a further rise of 2ft occurred during the night tho lift mark having been reached by 9 o'clock this morning. By that time portion of tho road in tho vicinity of the Borough Council Chambers was partly submerged owing to tho wr.ter in the ditch in that locality backing up. Reports from tho _ up-river stations recorded a further rise in the river, and local residents were therefore apprehensive of a big riso at Balclutlia during tho night. Fortunately, this did not occur, though tho river continued to rise slowly and steadily. At the Barnego Settlement the settlers were in a very disturbed state o« mind.

A considerable portion of tho lowestlying land is inundated by water, and by 9 a.m. tho river water was in places within two feet from the top of the embankment. ' The (settlers had, however, as a precaution, removed their stock to safo quarters, and tho furniture in the houses in tho threatened area had also been mado as sccuro as possible. Tho fairly rapid me in the river on Wednesday kept tho Stirling residents in a perturbed state of mind, but by evening tho rato of tho rise had decreased appreciably, and mado tho prospects more reassuring. The repairs to tho big breach in tho embankment at the lock which occurred during tho recent flood were completed on Monday, but uneasiness was felt for the embankment adjoining Mr_ Crawford Anderson's, and the break which occurred thero a few months ago had not yet been repaired. A gang of voluntary workers was quickly organised, and worked with a will to avert the threatened ingress of tho flood waters.

The Pomahaka, Kaihiku, and other district streams rose rapidly, and were soon running almost bank high, much of tho low-lying land in tho vicinity being inundated. It is f.earcd that the mortality among tho young lambs will be very heavy. On Tuesday night a Waiwera farmer lost 20 lambs out of his flock of 200 ewes, while two others lost about 15 each out of flocks of 150 'ewes. Unfortunately both of tho lastmentioned farmers had to leave for Balclutha to attend tho sitting of tho Military Servico board to-day, and it is therefore feared unless tho weather conditions quickly improve their loss will be considerably increased. Tho Puerau River had risen to about eight feet above normal by Wednesday night, but by 9" o'clock this morning it had dropped five feet. A considerable quantity of surface water was visible on tho Otanomomo Settlement, and though very little uneasiness was felt in that quarter, the precaution was taken by several of the settlers to remove their stock to higher land. It was considered that tho most critical period would be about 12 o'clock to-day, when tho tide would be at its highest. A local stock dealer who attempted to motor to Waiwera on Wednesday was compelled to return to Balclutha on account of tho Kaihiku having overflowed its banks. Another local resident had a similar experience while motoring northwards, being compelled to abandon his trip at Clarksville, on account of the road being impassable in that locality. A number of appellants who .were due to appear before the Otago No. 2 Military Service Board at Balclutha yesterday failed to put in an appearance when their names were called. Mr R. Stewart (counsel for some of these) informed the board that a number who owned land in the low-lying portion of the district were held up by floods and could not leave their homes. ' KAITANGATA, September 27. Rain has been falling steadily since 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The river is 18in lower than it was in the June flood, but, through the absence of- a canal lock, the water is inundating Kaitangata flat, and is flowing over the, canal bank in several places. Tho farmers have removed most of the stock on the flat.

CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL OTAGO. MIDDLEMARCH, September 27. Such a delugo as began in tho StrathTaieri district about 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon has not been experienced for years. The past winter and the" spring have been abnormally wet. and there have been at least two other floods during the past few 1 - months —one in winter and the other on the first and second days of the present month. But the present flood is the heaviest of them all. On Tuesday afternoon and night rain fell heavily and steadily, and by Wednesday morning the creeks were running from bank to bank, and in many places overflowing on to the flat lands of the plain. All day long- the rain persisted, but .it eased off slightly about 8 p.m., onl.y to recommenco as heavily as ever about midnight. From then on till_ noon to-day the_ rain fell without intermission, and it is still falling, though not so heavily as on the previous day. By Wednesday afternoon the great plain presented a melancholy appearance. Paddocks, In which tho grain crops had been doing so well in the mild and favourable weather preceding the flood, were largely submerged, the roads in many places were running deep in water, and here and there sheep and lambs could bo seen auarantined on ridges which had become 'surrounded by water. At Middlemarch the roads were deep in water, and about tho railway station were almost impassable. The he'avy flooding was doubtless largely caused by the melting of the snow on the Rock and Pillar range: and, although the rain continued to fall on the plain, there wa's a considerable subsidence in creeks by this morning, due to tho fact that during the night snow, instead of rain, was falling on tho mountain. That the heavy flood will cause considerable damage and loss may be taken for granted—how much it will be cannot yet be estimated. Unless the water drains quickly away off the wheat and oats paddocks chc loss is certain to bo great, while lambing will be very severely prejudiced, and the loss of lambs is bound to be heavy. The work of sowing the remainder of the grain crop will also bo seriously retarded, as ploughed paddocks are now mere expanses of sticky mud, through which it is impos sible for men or horses to wade. The rainfall till noon to-day was about 3in.

NEWS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS. (From Our Own Correspondents.) WAIKOUAITI, September 26. Heavy rain set in yesterday, and has continued for 24 hours. Most of the- creeks in the neighbourhood overflowed their banks, and at midday the Main road was under water at several places between the post office and the dairy factory. The bowling green, tennis courts, and the whole of the upper domain are completely covered with water, but as the outlet of the lagoon channel is running clear no damage is likely to be done. The Waikouaiti River rose quickly, and at midday was carrying a lot of water, but with the ebbing tide it subsided considerably. As lambing_ has commenced on the high country, it is probable that there will bo a rather heavy loss of lambs. CROMWELL,- September 26.

Heavy rain set in yesterday afternoon m -all parts of the district, a.nd has continued almost without interruption. In tho first 12 hours the conditions were warm, but are now colder. The rivers have been rising steadily all day, and are at a high level. They are still rising slowly, but the cold Lbreeze may possibly prevent an abnormal 1 flood. The rainfall "is considered the finest

experienced in spring for many years, and, coming after a spell of warm weather, will leave the pastoral country in splendid order. TAPANTJT, September 26. - During the past 24 hours, an which 123 points of rain fell, extremely boisterous weather has been experienced, and the lower levels aro in danger of becoming inundated. Unfortunately lambing is now general, and it is reasonable to anticipate a heavy mortality should the cold southeasterly gales continue. Local streams aro in flood. Tho gale has done damage- to fences and plantations. Tho unseasonable weather is hindering spring sowing. _ There is no indication of the storm abating. WOODLANDS, September 26. Tho rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 7 a.m. was 120 points, making 256 points for this month to date. DIPTON, September 25. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9.30 a.m. was 38 points. GORE, September 26. There was a persistent heavy rain lasS night, but this became intermittent and lighter to-day. The Mataura River at Gars, ton, near the head of the river, was three feet abovo normal, and still rising, at 9 o'clock. There is snow on the high country.The river at Goro is two feet above normal, and rising slowly. Nothing serious is anticipated.

WAIPIATA, September 27. The rainfall registered hero for the 48 hours ended 9 a.m. was 102 points. RANFURLY, September 27. The rainfall, registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 50 points. The weather is now colder, but shows signs of clearing, and the glass is rising. OTUREHUA, September 26. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 97 points. A light drizzling rain set in yesterday afternoon, which gradually increased to a heavy downpour during the night. It ceased raining about daylight this morning, but recommenced about 9 o'clock, and at the present time (2 p.m.) is raining heavily. FRUITLANDS, September 27. . Steady rain commenced to fall at 5 p.m; on Tuesday, and continued without a break till about 10 . o'clock this morning. The total rainfall registered was 2£in. This rain is of immense benefit to the agriculturists in this district, as the ground was becoming dry owing to the hot winds experienced during the last fortnigr t. Autumn, and spring-sown crops will cspec : Jiy benefit, and will make great growth with the first flush of warm weather. Tho weather is still unsettled.

ALEXANDRA, September 27. The rainfall was 104 noints till Wednesday morning, and 103 points moro till this morning. The weather is still unsettled.

The following reports were received by the Post and Telegraph Department on the 26th7—

Clyde.—2.3o p.m.: Still raining heavily, and the river is now Bft above normal. 7.30 p.m.: River now 10ft above normal; rain stopped. 11 p.m.: River approximately llfll above normal, and still rising. ■■ Queenstown. —7.30 p.m.: Lake shows littlo change since 5 p.m.; still raining steadily. 11 pTrh. : Lake little change; no rain lasfc three hours. ' t Alexandra. —7.30 p.m : River still rising;' gone lip about a foot since 5 p.m.; steady rain from the south. 11 p.m.: River stul rising; weather appears to be clearing. Roxburgh.—7.3o p.m.: River risen 2ffe since 3.3 C p.l '. , and still rising; now at ISfo mark; still raining, but not heavy. 11 p.m. s River appears to have risen slightly, and flowing very fast; rain ceased, and in* dications or weather clearing.

Tho following advices were received by tho Telegraph Office- on the 27th : Alexandra. —8 a.m.: River rose about 2ft 6in during tho night, and is now abjrut th<* 20ft mark. Steady rain fell early this morning. Noon : River appears steady; weather dull. 7 p.m.: River has fallen 9in since noon j weather dull. Roxburgh.—B a.m.: River has risen 2f6 during tho night, and is now at tho 20ft mark. A slight drizzle started early this morning, and still continues. 7 p.m. : River still falling, and is now at 19ift_mark; weather clear and fine; no rain since 10 a.m. Qucenstown. —9 a.m.: Lake steady; na further rain; snow on high country. Pembroke. —7 p.m..: No riso in lake since 9 a.m.; weather moderate. Cromwell.—7 p.m.: River fallen 3inj weather fine. Clyde.—7 p.m.: River steady at Hit above normal; snowing on high country! intermittent rain on fiat.