STOP PRESS NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17035, 8 May 1923, Page 1

STOP PRESS NEWS.

(Reserved for late news received after the paper has gone +o press.) SELWYN TWO MILES WIDE. Mr J. S. Hawkes, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association SOt word this afternoon from Mr Webster, clerk to the Ellesmere County Council, that ihe Selwyn Diver was two miles wide at the Selwyn crossing. The water was lapping tho top of the bridge at Ellesmere. Leeston, Mr Webster reported was entirely cut off by road, fhe only way to get to it being by train to Dunsandel. Mr Hawkes is ' obtaining bulletins from all points regarding the state of roads and crossings. Other reports from Ellesmere record serious stock losses. REFUGEES AT KAIAPOI. It was reported this afternoon that over eighty houses in Kaiapoi have had to bo vacated by the occupants as a result of the flood. The abandoned houses aro mostjy in Sidey Quay, Otaki Street, Broom Street, Hugh Street and on the Cam side of the town. The refugees arc scattered over tho whole town, ail available halls and public buildings beiiug fully . occupied while a large number have, been given shelter with private families. One resident stated that he bad three families of refugee* in his house. BRIDGE WASHED AWAY. The bridge over the Hororata River on the route to Lake Coleridge through Ooalgate, has been washed away. BLENHEIM FLOODED. BLENHEIM, May S. The Wairau River burst its banks at the school yesterday. * Many bridges have been swept away and all those remaining are in danger. Business is at a standstill and the town is flooded to u depth of six feet. Railways north and south have been washed out. COMPETITIONS. Irish Songs, Recalls:—A. S. ;Br!l (SpreydonL J. Mayfield (Richmond), A. Murray (Wellington).