FLOODS IN CANTERBURY

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1930, Page 13

FLOODS IN CANTERBURY

CHRISTCHURCH INVADED WATER SPREADS IN THE SUBURBS BOATS USED BY THE RESIDENTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Aug. 6. Three days’ continuous rain has caused serious flooding in many suourbe of Christchurch, especially iu the Western Terrace,- Beckenham, where seven families had to be removed from their homes in a lorry last night owing to the Heathcote River overflowing. Part of lower Colombo Street was under water this morning. The flood waters this morning stood 3ft. deep in the back yards of a dozen houses fronting on to the Heathcote River along Western Terrace, Beckenham. Farther along Eastern Terrace the scour from the swirling waters made the road impassable for half a mile. Huge logs up to 15ft. in length and over 2ft. in diameter were brought down by the flooded stream. They crashed against the frail foot-bridges which had for years been strong enough to carry pedestrian traffic from the two terracee across the small stream to the Port Hills Road. Smart work by the City Council staff in clearing away the logs prevented the wreckage of the bridges, the ends of which were in some cases a chain from dry land. With the male members of the households away at work the women and children became greatly perturbed last night at being cut off from dry land and with the river steadily rising. The occupants of nine small bungalows gathered together a few personal effects and were carried out through a foot of water to a waiting City Council lorry. There were elderly women, young women and women with small babies, all of whom showed pluck in their plight. The Main North Road, is flooded in the vicinity of Amberley and hundreds of acres of farm lands in North . Canterbury are under water. The Waireka, Selwyn and Hawkins Rivers are uiifordable. . in addition to the houses evacuated in Western Terrace six families were evacuated in Opawa, : where the Heathcote is still rising. In these houses water was oozing in at the doors and bursting through tlie floors. Many streets . lii Linwood, Redcliffs, Woolston, Beckenham, Fendalton, Opawa and Radley are all under wat-ei*, and scores of resident? are using boats to do their shopping and get to business. ° Bain was still falling at noon. The water was up to the window-sills in parts of Beckenham. Water lies a foot deep on parte of the Addington trotting track, and it is very unlikely that the races will be held there on Saturday. The weather cleared about 4 o clock and' the night was frosty, states a message received late at night.