FLOODS ON THE SOUTH LINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7360, 24 March 1902, Page 3

FLOODS ON THE SOUTH LINE.

THE RANGITATA BRIDGE UNSAFE. THE ORARI BRIDGE DAMAGED. [From Our Corrksvondent-I ASHBURTON, March M. The express got away all rig hfc ** ? m . At Selwyn it was found tflat

the river had! overflowed the south bank and covered hundreds of acres of country, while it was cutting badly into the embankment on the northern shore, and threatening further damage along the line. A large quantity of water was lying about and many fields are submerged. On reaching Rakaia it was discovered that, though the river had been fairly high, it had fallen over a foot andi was about 2ft 6in below the floor of the bridge, but showed) signs of cutting into the embankments in the northern side. At Rakaia the up-train was m«t, and information was obtained 1 tfoat there had been no communication south of Ashburton, as the Rangitata 'bridge was unsafe, and therefore the train had' only come from Ashburton. It is understood that passengers will cross the Rangitata bridge on trollies and will be met at the other side by another train, which will go on to meet a fresih one at Orari, if one got across before the bridge gave way. The morning train left , Ashburton for Timaru at noon, and the express has been held' back here until news has been received 1 as to whether it got through. It is still raining heavily. A great deal of damage is being done to crops which are sfcill in stook. Heavy rain still continues, and the Ashburton, Riiver is in 'high, flood, and has broken through about four miles-down from the bridge and flooded the Wakanui lakds. It is reported here that the railway bridge at Orari is down. The morning train from Timaru dlue here at 10.30 . cannot get through. Telegraphic communication is also stopped. The river at the bridge is said to be higher than for twenty years. Mr Richard! Lewie's Trevorton House has been flooded and Mr Lewis has lost fourteen pigs. RANGITATA. After staying at Ashburton about twenty minutes, the express was ordered to proceed ceed. At the Hinds, the train had to proceed very cautiously. The road alongside khe line was under water for miles, in some places three feet deep. The Hinds River had got right out of its course and. inundated the surrounding country, and threatened the permanent way, and embankment in several places. The train from Ashburton came -back frewnv Ealing, and the Rangitata- having gone down considerably, the river was safely crossed, although still running very high* The break is at Opihi bridge. Later. The express is held up here, while men on a trolly go onj to Orari, where the -bridge is reported' unsafe, and the train cannot move until thjby return. /Three telegraph poles are down there, and there is no communication beyond. A gang of telegraph men has gone with a trolly to endeavour to effect repairs. It is stated tbat the line has been washed away at Young's Creek, S'eadown*, about seven miles this side of Tiraaru. People here state that the Hinds River broke through its 'banks about eight o'clock this morning three miles a*bove the station, and immediately rushed down over the country, and was soon over the railway bridge, bub when the. express crossed, the river had fallen quite two feet. Several buyers for the Dunedin wool sales and a number <jf commercial travellers are on board the express, which is a fairly heavy train. It is still raining in torrents, and the rivers will probably rise again.