THE WEATHER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 61, 26 October 1911, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

DOWN SOUTH. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, October 25. The Waima.kariri River is in high flood to-day, and the state of the country in the vicinity of the river is worse than on the occasion of the last large flood on June 24th, 1905. At 1 o’clock this afternoon road communication between Christchurch and Kaiapoi was cut off, and an hour or so later communication by rail between the city and Kaiapoi was impossible. So suddenly did the flood waters rise that several vehicles, including motor cars, were completely isolated on the road between Belfast and Chaneys, and some remained in this precarious position for some time. Between noon and 2 p.m. the flood water rose two feet, and at Chaney’s was five feet deep on the road. At latest reports settlers were preparing to leave their dwellings, and loss of stock secffis inevitable. Numbers of cyclists and pedestrians between Belfast and Chaneys were taken by surprise, and soon were completely surrounded by water. Some clung to fences, and others climbed trees. . , The driver of a spring call/ effected the rescue of no fewer than nine persons so situated, who were in dangerous positions. A critical stage was expected between 0 p.m. and 8 p.m., when the tide would bo high. Fortunately the flood waters, which had been subsiding continued to tail, and all danger is ” practically over, though farmers have established pickets to watch and save stock Jn the event of the waters suddenly rising. . Communication by road with Kaiapoi nas been re-established.