THE THAMES FLOODS. FEARFUL EXTENT OF DAMAGE. (BY TELEGRAPH—OWN correspondent.)

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 203, 14 May 1887, Page 5

THE THAMES FLOODS. FEARFUL EXTENT OF DAMAGE. (BY TELEGRAPH— OWN correspondent.)

Thames, May 10. The damage done by Monday night's flood is even mere serious than was at first anti eipattsd. The storm iittained its greatest violence about midnight, at which hour the, Karako Creek, notwithstanding the various alterations and repairs it has undergone in the way of cleaning out the debris, raising the bridge and sides, etc., overflowed, and in an incredibly .short time the water h.id made its way into the property of Mr, Hall and the other residents in the vicinity. In a few minutes the whole place was one> sheet ot water, which gradually spread to the premise^ of Messrs Martin, jun. (draper), Melbourne Drapery and Clothing Company, Denby (chemist), Hunter (private ic-idence), (iribblo (stationer), Cooks (furniture warehouse), Rcitmaa (butcher), Kennedy (haiidres-ser), Scott (baker), Urigg (music warehouoe), and others as tar as Mr Boon's drapery establishment at the corner of Mary -street. The .shops ot the greater number of these li sidesman were covered with water. The .several private residences opposite were inundated -uith the aqueous element right towards, the beach, and the intei ior of the dw ellingsf a-? well as the kitchen and flower gardens ot the residents, will bo covered with a thick coating ot .slime when the water abates. The volume ot water coming down the Karaka Cieek was really enor mous, and nome hundreds of tons of dibn'*- havo been brought down to the beach, while the bed of the creek has again been completely tilled to within a foot of the .sides, although it was raised by the Borough Council two or three months ago. It is estimated that it will cost L 2,")() to remove the d<bris alone, while, should another heavy downpour of rain occur at an early date, the consequences will be most serious. Some idea ot the extent ot the inundation of the town may be foimed when it is mentioned that horn Mary-street (Shortland) to Pi ice Bros, foundry (Grahamstown), as far back as Pollen-streeb and the " Star "' office, was almost one immense sheet of watci, while owing to the Kauaeranga River o\ e/ilowiug, the land between I'aiawai Gardens and the railway bridge was inundated for a depth of two or three feet, and .seveial tamilies were obliged to seek shelter for the night with friends who were fortunate enough to reside on higher ground, in one or two cases the occupants kept small boats atloat in the streets, in which tncy might put off should such be necessary. The suspension, bridge leading to the Orphanage over the Kauaeianga River has been carried away, together with several others of smaller size, while about a chain in length of water-race fluming and ti estle-work has given way, and two landslips have occurred. The water supply for the whole of the batteries has consequently been cut off, and ib will be a week before the damage can be repaired. The Moanatairi tramway has been covered with debrit, and portions of the trestle-work destroyed, which will be a serious matter for the miners in this locality, who will be unable to transmit their quartz to the batteries until it is repaired, which will occupy a month or two. The whole of the bridges over the Tararu Creek have been completely carried away» with the exception of that on the main road near the slaughter-house, and hundreds of tons of wood, including numerous trees of large size, have been deposited on the Tararu flat. The whole of the- main bridges between Thames and Paeroa have been ascertained to be safe, although several smaller ones are things of the past. The fresh in the Kauaeranga River wasthe heaviest known for years, while the rivet has never been so high. About 4,000 logs were brought down to Pavawai booms, which will keep the Shortland sawmill (which has been idle for many months) employed for eighteen months. The damage caused by the flood is a very serious matter to both the Borough and County Councils, The extent of the damage in the direction* of Rocky Point and Tapu cannot yet bes ascertained, and it is impossible to cross the Tararu Creek. There are 1,500 logs ab Kirikiri booms, and 500 at Blair and Gillespies Hikutaia mill. About £80 or £100 worth of tailings belonging, to Waiotahi (r.M. Company were washed away and lost, owing to the Waiotahi aqueduct being altogether inadequate to hold the immense stream of water coming: down. "Last night, the whole of Pollenstreet from the Mary-street corner to the Salvation Army Barracks was covered with water, as the Karaka Creek was still running through the street. The sky was still, overcast, and showers of rain were falling.

LATER. Thames, May 11. The weather has now cleared up, and the sun is shining. It is impossible to estimate, the extent of the damage, but there can be no doubt it will cost a tew thousand pounds to repair it.

Damage at Karangahave and Waihi. Karan«ahakk, May 11. The whole of the trestle work on the Hill section of the Ivanhoe tramway was. blown down during the gale of yesterday morning, and this cuts off all communication between the Battery and the mines located along the county track.