FLOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1920, Page 5

FLOODS.

SOUTH ISLAND DAMAGE,

NO EXPRESS TRAINS. RESUMPTION EXPECTED TO-DAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oamaru, Last Night. Four inche3 of rainfall in 48 hours, after soaking showers the week previously, resulted in the inundation of all the low lying portions of North Otago. Apart from the serious lambing losses and the damage done, the most serious effect of the floods in the complete interruption of the main line railway services and the serious flooding of many of the main roads.

The fljrst express from tftje south came in to time, and proceeded as far 88 Glenavy, where the railway authorities decided to send the express back to Oamaru owing to a serious wash-out at Morven. The second express from the south arrived half-an-hour l..te, but did not proceed north of Oamaru. The majority of the passengers retur;: il to Dunedin. It is expected communication will be restored some time tomorrow.

Rivers in North Otago are in flood, except the Waitaki, which, although showing a rise, is not flooded. Portions of Oamaru and large country areas were under water this mprhing, while a washout on the Kurow line held ,up the morning train to town. Country trains gre'all running this afternoon. The floods caused serious damage in the Oamaru municipal gardens through the rapid rise and overflow of a creek. The rain ceased during the morning, and only light rain has fallen since. HEAVY LOSS OF LAMBS. . SOME CATTLE DROWNED. SNOW ON THE RANGES. Tlmarn, Last Night. Rain has fallen in South Canterbury with little intermission since Monday night, and still contnue3, accompaned by a cold southerly wind, which was a strong gale for a few hours at the outset. The fall in Timaru and the neighborhood has been bo far about three inches, a little more in town and a little less a mile, or two inland. The fall has been much heavier in the Waimate dstrict, there being over four inches recorded. The rivers are all very high, and' on the low, badly drained flats at Otaio and Morven plain the railway line is under water, and several wash-outs occurred between Studholme and Morven, preventing trains getting through. It is hoped that repairs will be effected before to-morrow morning. It is reported that snow is falling on the ranges. 1 Some cattle have been drowned in the low-lying paddocks in Temuka, and several further down the river near the sea, all the river bed being badly choked with gorse and broom. As the lambing is proceeding in the coastal country, heavy losses from wet and cold are anticipated. Many country roads are practically impassable to-day, nevertheless the Geraldine races will be held to-morrow.

RECORD RAINFALL. FOUR INCHES AT WAIMATE. Ashburton, Sept. 29. The most severe southerly storm experienced for many years visited the district during the last thirty hours. There was a record rainfall, almost four inches being registered. With snow on the foothills, the weather will have a serious effect on lambing, which is proceeding. Losses are estimated to amount to thousands of pounds. Waimate, Sept. 29. Four inches of rain have fallen since 11 o'clock on Monday night. The maximum temperature was 44 degrees, and the minimum 3# degrees. It is feared that losses of ewes and lambs will be heavy.