The Floods on the West Coast.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8777, 12 March 1897, Page 3

The Floods on the West Coast.

LOSS OF LIFE. (Bv Telegraph. ) BLENHEIM, March 11. Heavy rain has been experienced for several days, and the Opawa and Wairau Rivers flooded the town yesterday even ing. The water receded this morning. GREYMOUTH, March 11. The flood has subsided. The damage to the streets and to many stocks is very great. So far, two lives are known to have been lost, one Charles Boase, and the other not identified. A good deal of distress will be occasioned to dwellers in the lower township. To-day about a hundred men are at work repairing the streets and railways. All the business places are again open, but are suffering much loss and inconvenience through the deposits of mud left behind. A private telegram received in Christchurch yesterday states that the aeriel tramway connected with the Black Ball Coal-mining Company’s property, has been seriously damaged by the floods, and will take a long time to repair. REEFTON, March 11. The Rev. Mr Dart has reached here from Ngaire. He states that the flood in the Grey river was the heaviest known to the settlers, the water reaching to houses never touched before. The Midland railway line suffered considerable damage, and Mr Dart is doubtful, owing to slips, if railway communication can be restored in a week. Great damage was done, especially to bridges. A large number of sheep were drowned, and probably a good many cattle. The water pretty well covered Totara Flat. The Phoenix mine, from which nearly all the coal for Reefton was supplied, collapsed during the storm and destroyed several chains of Murray Creek road. It is doubtful if the mine can be reopened or the road repaired again, as the hill appears to be sliding. Several bridges are gone north of Lyell, and the Nelson coach is detained. The weather is still gloomy.