FLOODS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3359, 14 January 1879, Page 2

FLOODS.

The heavy rain (hiring the whole of last night has been general throughout the district, and as was anticipated by many the ballasting on some of the lines of railway has been washed away. Should no moderation take place in the wcu-ther before the afternoon, and the nor'-wester set in heavier, the probability is that traffic will again be interrupted on the south line. At 9.20 a.m. an udvico was received from South Raugitata that the line had been washed away, but up to that hour no particulars were to hand. At 10.39 a.m. a telegram was received from Southbridge, saying it was raining heavily, and the water was all along that branch line, and was running three inches over the rails near Hill's road. Platelayers were stationed along the line, and the train had been compelled to stop twice. No damage had been done so far, but if the rain contiuued it was feared that some would be. 11.10 a.m. a telegram came to hand from Rakaia, stating that about a mile south of the Eakaia station the ballasting had been washed away in two places, each gap being about two chains in width. A telegram was also received by Mr Dick, Chief Postmaster, saying the line was impassable between the Rangitata and Orari. That gentleman telegraphed to send the Dunedin mails back to Christchurch if there was no prospect of the train getting through during the morning. From Ashbnrton information was received at 12.20 that the South express train had gone on to North Rangitata. The line was damaged between the Rangitata bridge and South Rangitata, and at several other places the water was flowing over the lino. "Up to 2 p.m. the express train, which is due at Timaru at 12.52, had not reached there, and it is thought the train must have been stuck-up at North Rangitata bridge. No particulars were to hand up to the time of our going to press of the Rangitata having risen. It is expected, however, that the Orari is up, and that the water has rushed along the line, breaking through in places. The mid-day train got through all right to Southbridge, and the ordinary traffic was in noway interfered with on the North line.