WAIMAKARIRI RIVER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16284, 26 November 1920, Page 7

WAIMAKARIRI RIVER.

PROSPECTS OF A FLOOD. TO-DAY'S HIGH TIDE TO DECIDE. High tide at four,o’clock this afternoon in the Waimakariri River is awaited with keen anxiety, as on the volume of water then prevailing will depend whether a serious’ flood occurs, causing immense damage, or whether there will bo more or less normal conditions. Yesterday afternoon's high tide, .combined with the heavy water brought down through the iierce nor’-wester and tho rain in the inland districts, caused the river to flow fully from bank to bank, with overflows in various parts. The more serious overflows occurred at (Joutt’s Island. The early reports were somewhat exaggerated, as there was no extensive “ inundation,” but had the water risen another two feet, a flood must have occurred. Fortunately the water ceased rising Avhcn close to the top of the northern bank, and tho receding tide averted the immediate danger. The girder bridge Avas subjected to? a heavy strain, but no breakdown resulted, although the water touched tho bottom main girder of the bridge. The river broke away a little higher up, but-no serious harm Avas done. Around Chaney’s Corner the water came right over the main road, tho marks on the telegraph posts, as seen this morning, showing that the water must have coA'crcd the road from 3ft to 4£t. The worse patches, to-day, wore between the Belfast Hotel and White’s Bridge, hut trafiic could get through, including motor-cars, horse carts and even a traction engine. A groat spectacle AVas available from White's Bridge, tho rushing waters, bank to bank, swirling swiftly past the structure, and within seven feet of tho decking. Round about Mason’s Flat tho river got over in one section, and some of tho concrete at one of the groynes Avas scoured away, but no serious damage occurred. An inspection this morning discovered very little out of the ordinary. Stewart’s Gully appeal s to have been little affected, and indeed it was the expressed opinion of the members of tho Waimakariri River Board, Messrs IT. E. Peryman, J. R. Hoc, J. Leslie, A. S. Bruce and F. E. Jones, who with Mr 0. W. Hcrrey, motored out this morning to tho threatened vicinity, that the only real danger spot was tho north branch of the river. The waters this morning Avert* recoding, even alloAving for tho Stale of the tide, so comparatively quickly, that an optimistic outlook was jus tilled. Mr George Gould, who has a property at Cuutts Island, stated to-day that he regarded the flood so far as of a secondary character. It was not so serious as that which happened about two years ago. Another two feet, howeA'cr, avou Id have made a vast difference. All would depend on the ram that fell in tho north last evening, and on the volume cf water still to come down from the high country. If tins was heavy, serious trouble might ho expected this evening.. Reports from Springfield state that heavy weather. Avitli thunder and lightning, Avcro experienced yesterday. Arrangements have been made with tho Canterbury Aviation Company for Captain Gray to make a flight over tho Waimakariri if the flood prospects become serious. Captain Gray will take photographs to show whore the river actually breaks in. and much yaluable information is anticipated to be gained by this aerial photography. So far very little stock or crops have been lost, and judging by the sheep and cattle in the threatened paddocks, this morning, district farmers are not yet seriously alarmed. Summed up, the position is that the river is high, the north branch dangerously so. hut a flood should be averted, if heavy volumes of water do not roach the Contts Island area whilst the tide is full.

AM AERIAL VIEW. A fine view of the flooded river was obtained this morning from the cockpit of an Avro aeroplane, piloted hy Captain Douglas Gray. Leaving the aerodrome at about 9.30 a.m., with Mrs G. E. Rhodes and Miss Shona Rhodes as passengers, the machine Avas out for about thirty-fiv© minutes, flying over Belfast and the bridges towards Kniapoi. Pilot and passengers reported a, very wonderful sight. The Waimakariri river, running A’-ery strongly, extended from hank, to ban!:, and bad gone over the bank to tho north-west of Belfast, and also on tho northern side of the river opposite Belfast, flooding many paddocks! The stream had flooded islands in the riverbed, and only the tree tops could he seen in several places.