Untitled

Star (Christchurch), Issue 32, 19 June 1868, Page 3

•/Tho Otago Daily Times of June 15 says*.— The heavy rain of Friday has resulted in a Ilood which, In some parts of tho Province, at least, has been moro sevcro than that which occurred four or fl v o months ngo. That ilood wus, fortunately, confined to a comparatively narrow strip of country from tho, seaboard; but tho present one, it is to be feared, has extended over nearly the whole province. The Clutha, which was scarcely at nil affected on the former occasion, has now been greatly flooded,

Tho galo accompanying the flood haa been scarcely less severe than its predecessor, and it ha 9 caused a terrific sea on the coast. So far as wo havo yet heard, the gale has been less productive of wrecks on the Coast. The flood has again caused serious damage to the main road, north and south of Dunedin. On each sido there have been heavy landslips, culverts have been burst, and bridges have been damaged. The Talerl began to rise rapidly about seven o'clock on Friday morning; nnd nt tho West Talcri tho water rose above tho : level of tho preceding floo 1, which was the highest then on record. Along the main north road, however, the flooding has not been so great as it was on the previous occasion; so that tho Plain has probably suffered less, There has been nothing like the eight or nine miles of water which stretclietl along the road line a taw months ago. The road has, however, been much flood- d, nnd is in a dreadfully cut-up state for several miles on this side of the East Talerl bridge; an important culvert has blown up in thoWaihola' Gorgo neighbourhood; and near Tokomairiro a small bridgo and some culverts have disappeared, and left chasms which, on Saturday, were not passable by vehicles. The Tuapoka district has suffered greatly. A telegram in the samo paper dated l_iw« rence, Saturday, says:-— A very large flood has been caused by a heavy fall of rain and snow. The lower portion of Lawrence was under water on Friday night. The road suffered severely. The approach on the Tuapoka side of waitalmnn bridge is washed away. Friday's coach not arrived. The weather is still unsettled. A report from We-it Talcri, written on Saturday, gives the following particulars*— When the river began to rise on Friday morning, Mr Campbell, who is in chaige ot tho repairs of the bridge, got his men together, and, though with great difficulty, succeeded in scouring much of the timber, &.,, which Is required for the work. The whole party had con* stantly to work up to their armpits in water.The river continued to rise so rapidly, that most of tho residents in tho village sought safety on high ground , About seven o'clock in th« evening, Mounted Constable Carter went towards Mr Richardson's flour-mill on the Wharfi Creek, to ascertain if tho people thoro wero in' danger. Finding that they wero greatly so, Carter returned to the We.t Tnicri Hotel, and calkd for volunteers In an attempt to save Mr Richardson and family. John Buchanan, David Buchanan, Mr Staiw buck, nnd a boatman known as " Bill," at onco joined Carter. Together, thoy took the boat belonging to tho Government — dragged her overland to the creek— again launched her and contrived, after very groat difficulty, in saving Mr Richardson and his family. The ; Outrain Hotel, to which n-any went for snfoty during tho last flood, was considered to be in dangor when the report was wrHten carlyon Saturday morning, Tho river war then still rising; and Air Tynan nnd his wife had been compelled to leave tho hotel. On Fridny evening' a number of pvrsona had gathered for safety on tlio premises of Mr l.obinson, storekeeper*, but it was found that they could not continue to remain there, and they made their way to tho Buckeye Hotel. All tho settlers who could manage to do so, loosed their cattle and horses, and drove them on to the hills.