HEAVY FLOODS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1029, 2 May 1883, Page 3

HEAVY FLOODS.

Tlie rain last night was very heavy, and, had it continued, must have done a lot ,of damage. This afternoon the weather looked threatening, and we may expect our share of the wet experienced in other parts of the colony. ; Our telegrams inform us that great floods have taken .place in Canterbury and North Otago. At Oamaru, yesterday, the express from Dunedin was unable to proceed to Timnrn, owing to several portions of the line between Smdhdlme (Waimate) junction being carried away, At Timaru the 'rainfall appears to have been he heaviest known for. years, and the rivers are in high flood. Portion of Temnka, a township 13 miles north, is under water, and at Albury a blacksmith’s shop was washed clean away, a family named Coupar barely escaping with their lives. Numerous instances occurred of families, having to be removed on horseback. Several small bridges have been carried away, and railway traffic with Ashburton is suspended. At the latter place the northern express was stopped owing to the damage to the line and the unsa,fety of the bridges, and the passengers were sent back to Christchurch. 1 It will be at least two days before communication can be restored. On the lines in North Canterbury the traffic is entirely suspended. Latest accounts from Christchurch report that the rain is much lighter now than ;it was. • . (per press association.) WELLINGTON, This day. ; Steady rain set in last night,- and has continued?since. It is still,raining heavily, and with no indications of taking up. ; ( CHRISTCHURCH, This day. : The rain ceased at daylight this morning, but .the weather is still threatening. Further damage to the railway lines in various parts of the district is reported.