THE WEATHER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8351, 24 June 1905, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

[Per Pbess Association.]

WELLINGTON, June 24. The secretary of the Postal Department has received the following telegram, from the Chief Postmaster at Greymouth: — "10 a.m. The flood is steadily rising, (iud the report from Ahaura is not promising. Water is flowing over the wharves into tho town, and the loirer ttarts are floo-ded out, the people being*-emoved in boats and carts. No news has been received from tho country, and at present tho railway, trains are stuck iip owing to washouts. There will be no traffic or mails to-day. Water surrounds the Post Office, and if it enters will probably 'earth' the office connections and cut us off for a time."

A strong northerly gale ble'.V here last evening, the heaviest for years. A number of fences were blown down, but otherwise little damage was done. A very heavy downfall of rain accompanied tho gale, 1.73 inches falling during the twenty-four hours which ended at nine o'clock this morning. Tho train service was 'disorganised somewhat by the gale. In one part of the city two large telegraph poles came down and the wires fell across the tramway cables, interrupting traffic on the route for some hours

HOKITIKA, June 24. Continuous rain yesterday culminated in a big flood eai'ly this morning, when all the low-lying places were under water, but, besides causing discomfort to the occupants, no material, damage has been done. In the country the roads and • tracks generally were damaged, one wire bridge was washed away, and the northern approach to the Teremakau Bridge was washed out. The Monteziima dredge, outside the town boundary, sank during the nignt. The rain has now ceased, and the flood waters are rapidly subsiding. A slip on the railway line interrupted traffic.

Further particulars of the flood damage show that Hungerford's Bridge, Upper Arahura, has been seriously injured, one pier being washed out. Other bridges are damaged in the Kanieri district. Telegraphic communication with the south has been cut off. Owiug to the blocking of the railway line by slips, etc., all trains to-day have been cancelled.

GREYMOUTH, June 24

Heavy rain has fallen for the past twelve hours, and has produced high floods. The fire-bell rang here at 4.30 a.m. to warn the inhabitants that the river had risen, and from then till now it has been rising, till it came over the wharf. The business portion of the town is already flooded. It .is raining heavily in the country, and the river is still rising- The' position looks very serious.

Private wires from Greymouth state that the whole of the town is flooded, and in the front street the water is three or four feet deep in the business

places. Tho gas throughout the town has been shut off, and the evening paper, the " Greyinoutir Star," has not been able to issue. The position is looked upon as very serious.

[From Otto Cosbespondent.] KAIAPOI, June 24. . There is the heaviest flood in the river for many years. The mail contractors could not deliver at Coutt's Island or Saltwater Creek, and all low-lying sections are under waior. The body of water in the main branch is too strong to allow the tide to run, consequently the Waimakariri North is very high. Coutt's Island is under water, and general traffio to Christchurch by road is stopped. There is a great loss of potatoes in pits. The Eyre is supposed to be in flood and overflowing. No loss of life is te ported, but men are sitting up at the top of trees in Coutt's Island, waiting the turn of the tide.