WESTPORT.

Colonist, Volume XV, Issue 1501, 13 February 1872, Page 3

WESTPORT.

The Westport Times ai February 10 states: —

The heaviest flood that has taken place on the Buller river since its existence as a European settlement has been experienced during the last forty-eight hours. The heavy rainfall of Wednesday and Thursday caused the river to rise. rapidly, and towards nightfall on Thursday it began to overflow its banks wherever the latter were slightly depressed. Towards evening the river continued to rise rapidly, and the concentrated torrent surged and boiled in a manner truly appalling. The Upper Groin, a protective work constructed about twelve months ago, rendered important service. At that point, the force of the current, deflected by the Garden Island, struck the bank with irresistible force, and but for the protection afforded by the substantial stone work, it is certain that, Wharf street, the Government, Bright street, and Kennedy street. Wharves, and all th<* properties fronting the river must have been undermined and carried out to sea. As it is, Stanley Wharf has been swept away, also the National Hotel, a largo two-story building at the corner of Gladstone street, and Mr. Munro's store, in which an unusually large quantity of produce was stored. On what was the North Spit, but 'which is now an island dividing the two channels, property belonging to Messrs. Stiisted Bros, and Mr. Michael Organ, was destroyed, the loss amounting to fully £400. Messrs. Suisted's property, consisting of a slaughter yard and out-buildings, piggeries, &c. Towards midnight on Thursday the weather moderated, and yesterday opened with magnificent weather, but it was not until mid-day that the flood visibly abated. Immense masses of the bank, facing the premises of Messrs. Powell and Co., the Criterion Hotel, Bentley's saddlery, and the Harp of Erin Hotel were detached, and the throughfare is now no longer passable for dray traffic. Messrs. Powell and Co. commenced moving their merchandise to premises in Kennedy street, and it will possibly be advisable to remove the building. During the flood one or two boata and canoes passed down the river, evidently having broken away from their moorings. Communication having been entirely suspended with the interior, we have yet to learn the effect of the floods at the various inland settlements.