The Floods in the South,

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6293, 13 February 1892, Page 2

The Floods in the South,

Oamaru, Wednesday.— The details of tha damages caused by the floods are coming to hand. The first man through from Kurow reports terrible ravages in that district. Tons of grain have been destroyed. The bridges at Wharekare, Awakino, Otiate, and Otekaike are down, as well as those at Kurow and Duntroon. The railway is badly damaged in several places on the Kurow line. Many farms are submerged. The Muriwhenua river is still rising. At dark last night several settlers had narrow escapes from drowning, and were rescued from their houses by ropes. It is reported that a man is lost on the road above Kurow. The police are inquiring. A man was reported drowned at Kakanui, but he has turned up. The weather ia now fine, with a brisk breeze.

Ashburton, Wednesday. — Saturday wa» the only fine day we have had for a week. Rain set in last Thursday morning and continued till Saturday morning, and began again on Saturday night, there being heavy rain all Sunday, with a driving south-west wind. Rain has fallen at intervals ever since. The county grows about a third part of the colony's wheat yield, and only from 20 to 25 per cent, is in stack, all the rest being in stook or standing. The grain has sprouted badly everywhere, not only in stock, but the standing corn as well. Harvest operations, which were in full swing last week, art completely suspended, and hundreds of men are about town idle. The results of the storm will be most disastrous to farmers, unless favorable weather follows from now. In the latter case, the depreciation will be about 4d per bushel on unsecured crop. The sky still looks watery and unsettled, although the weather is fair and the tempera, ture high. No floods have taken place in the rivers, or any damage to roads, etc.

Dcsedis, Tuesday night. — The state of the Taieri Plain is deplorable. From within two miles of Mosgiel right up to Greytown the Plain is almost covered with water.

At Outrain last night people remained up all night fearing the embankment would give way. The water reached within a few inches of the tops, and at some places the embankment had to be made slightly higher. The river then commenced to fall slowly, and is now down fully four feet.

From Owhiro to Greytown about four miles of the main railway line is under water, and it will probably be three days before it is passable.

An estimate of the damage cannot be mads for some weeks yet. The damage in Shag Valley is also very great, and several farmeri near Waikouaiti, and especially Cherry Farm, lose considerably.

Cmristchurch, Tuesday. — North Canterbury lias escaped the heavy rains which caused floods north and south. The river« rose slightly, but no damage is reported. The injury to crops is less than in the lesi fortunate localities, though much of the grain will sprout if the moist warm weather continues. O» the Peninsula some harm has been done to the cocksfoot.

Ikvercargill, Thursday. — On Tuesday an immense quantity of rain fell in the Lumsden district. The township was inundated for a time, some damage being done to gardens, stores, and dwellings. A bridge on the Kingston line was partially washed away, and it will probably be a week before traffic is possible over it.