FLOODS RECEDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17036, 9 May 1923, Page 7

FLOODS RECEDING.

HEAVY DAMAGE AT KAIAPOL RAILWAYS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. Flood waters are receding in Xaiapoi, and to-day residents have been relieved of much of the anxiety of the previous lorty-oight hours. Though the water has subsided on the Cam side, access to houses cannot yet be gained without the aid of boats. Charles Street, where a sandbag protection was erected yesterday to keep back the waters, Is now clear. In the overcast sky this morning the town bore a dismal a.spect. Parts from which the water had drained away were covered with silt, driftwood and debris of all kinds. Most of the houses which were flooded are not inhabitable yet; and it may be some days before the flood :s down sufficiently to enable the owners to return. Traffic through qu&te a number of streets is possible' only in drays or boats.

TRAINS HELD UP. j

SERVICES DISORGANISED FLOODS, SLIPS AND WASHOUTS. As the result of floods, slips and wash-outs, railway services in North Canterbury are almost completely dieorganised. Wherever possible emergency timetables are in operation, but arrangements are difficult to make. Telegrams are pouring into the District Traffic Manager's office every few minutes and provision has to be continually made at short notice to meet some new development. The only bright patch this morning was the receipt of information from a number of districts stating that the waters were receding. Gangs of workmen are engaged at {.cores of points and it is likely that theie will be a partial restoration of the normal service within a few days, always provided there is no more rain. The following summary of the position was given officially to the “ Star ” this morning: THE NORTH LINE. Up till, noon to-day. all traffic north of Kaiapoi ou the north line has been blocked, but reports about twelve o’clock indicated that the floods were subsiding between Kaiapoi and Rangiora. It' was hoped to get the afternoon train through to Rang! or a. No traffic has gone through to Waiau Culverden. Hannier or Parnassus since Saturday. It is reported that the bridge over the Waiau at Parnassus, a long wooden structure, has been damaged. However, there are also reports that the weather is clearing. The F< niapoi-Ey reton branch is blocked by floods near Wilson's Siding, a few miles out from Raugiora. BLOCK NEAR CL ST. The iiangiora-West Oxford line is blocked by the floods at Raugiora and by a wash-out between Gust and Bonnets. The position is improving and it is expected that the line will shortly be passable. There is a bad wash-out at Sefton beyond Raugiora, which will take some time to repair, so it looks as if it will be some time before trains go to Waipara. The iiiie requires repairs in very many places between Rangiora and Culverden, but men are working at high pressure to improve things. On the Cheviot line, which branches from Waipara. and connects with the route to Kaikoura. there are at least five wash-outs. The line is badly scoured in places and heavy slips have occurred at three piaces. THE MIDLAND- LINE. The Midland line is now clear to Springfield though on Monday there was a wash-out on the Christchurch side of Springfield and water was over the rails on the Christchurch side of Sheffield. Beyond Springfield, the full damage has not yet been ascertained, but reports indicate that it is of a serious nature, wih heavy slips m at least three piaces. It i« certain there will be no traffic to Arthur's Pass this week. THE ELLESMERE BRANCH. Ellesmere branch trains are at present running to Springston only, a distance cf seventeen miles. A stretch of line fifteen mil -in length from So rings ton to Southhridge is not in use. but reports to-day say that the floods are subsiding and that repairs will be carried out shortly. A small bridge beyond Springston lias been car

lied away and it will be one or two days before the service is restored. “ALL CLEAR.” The Methven-Rnkaia is clear, though it w: ■ submerged for a time. The morning train "yesterday got through with an hour's delay. The Whiteeliffs branch line from Darfield is clear and the Little River branch line from Lincoln has not been affected. EXP R ESS T RAINS RU N NIN G. Reports from districts south r jfi Ashburton state that the rain has ceased and that no damage has been caused. The express trains have been running without interruption and traffic to Dunedin is normal. Repairs have been effected on the railway line between Kaiapoi and Raugiora and the service from Christ church to Raugiora was resumed today, though restricted speed will he necessary over portions of the line.

i KGWAI IN FLOOD.

WARNING TO MOTORISTS. The following letter giving a warn ing to motorists has been received by Mr J. S. Hawkes. secretary of the Au tomobiie Association, from the clerk oi the J’awera County Council:— ‘ I shall be glad if you will inform any motorists you hear ol who con template going through to the Coast that, owing to the damage to the bridge over the first crossing of the Kowai (above Springfield), they will be obliged to take the old ford until repairs are effected. The river is, of course, in high flood at present, and I have not had a chance to ascertain what damage, if any, has been done higher up.” SUPPLIES FOR ARTHUR’S PASS. (Per F-xss Association.# GREYMOUTH. May 9. A serious situation has arisen at Arthur's Pass, as the usual supplies or goods from Springfield are now cut off. Arrangements have been made for bread, meat and so on to be sent from the West Coast. The first consignment will be sent to day, and the use of the Otira tunnel has been asked for from the Minister of Public Works. RELIEF MEASURES. Referring to a suggestion that some of the sufferers from the Kaiapoi floods may be in need of relief, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. A. Flesher), said to-day:— •‘We are communicating with the Mayor of Kaiapoi and, if necessity arises, we will do all wo can to help. ’ A GENERAL SURVEY. SOUTH MALVERN. The rainfall in the South Malvern district for Monday was 4.GBin and up to 4 p.m. yesterday a further .46in had fallen, making a total for the five days of 13.29 in. This is generally supposed to exceed any previous record. The rivers were still in high flood, the Selwyn having scoured out a strip of land about a chain wide on the Coalgate side,, carrying away a telegraph pole supporting wires to Hororata. The Glentunnel bridge is unsafe for heavy traffic A portion of the road at Whiteeliffs is in a danger--01 is state owing to a washout. The Waireka flooded a large area of country and for half a mile the shingle on the Homebnsh Read was washed away, leaving the bare earth. Considerable loss of stock is reported in the low-lying areas. LEESTO.X NOT MUCH AFFECTED. The effects of the rainfall were not very serious in Iseeston, the worst result of the flood being that railway communication with Christchurch was interrupted. SPRINGSTON AND ELLESMERE INUNDATED. Practically the whole of the Springston and Ellesmere districts were flooded when the Selwyn broke its banks on the nor’-west side. For a quarter of a mile on the northern side of the river the water yesterday was four to five feet deep. The postmistress had to leave her office at Ellesmere. Serious losses of stock have occurred in this vicinity, owing to the rapid rise of the river— nine feet in three

hours. At the Selwyn crossing the clerk to the Ellesmere County Council reported the river to be two miles in width yesterday. I)ARFIELD’S HEAVY RAINFALL The rainfall at Darfield for four days was .12.13 inches, more than half oi the total recorded for the whole oi 1922 which was 23 inches. The Hawkins River was exceptionally high and heavy losses of stock are feared, besides considerable damage to wheat stacked in the paddocks. AMBER LEY ISOLATED. The railway line just below Amberley has a depression for some distance. No mails or newspapers hud reached Amber ley since Saturday. The total rainfall since Friday was 19£in, the major portion falling on Sunday, totalling 11 jin, Monday following with 6.83 in. The Government gauge on Sunday afternoon showed 125

points, being the record from 8 a.m. to 4 p.iu., and from 4 p.m. on Sunday to 8 a.m. on HR in were recorded. which was unprecedented in the memories of Amberley's oldest residents. Great losses of stock arc reported and it is estimated that it will cost thousands of pounds to restore the roads to their ore-flood condition. GRAIN LOSSES AT OXFORD. The rainfall at Oxford was the heaviest the district had experienced for many years. Cooper’s Creek was exceptionally high ar.d the Eyre was running bank high and overflowing in several places. Much, serious damage to grain is reported

POSITION AT KAIAPOL

HALF POPULATION HOMELESS. Approximately half the population of Kaiapoi was rendered, homeless but accommodation was found lor all. Some splendid work was done by various hands of workers in rescuing people often at considerable risk. The efforts of these helpers is now being lealised when there is time for consideration of the events of the past two daj-s. THOUSANDS OF ACRES UNDER WATER. All reports are unanimous in that there are thousands of acres of farm lands under water. ”1 am nearly 60 years in the and I never saw water in the paddocks for three days like this before,” said one man who had a number of broad acres inundated. I was here in the Jubilee flood, too. We lived in Rotten Row then and we had Oft of water, but it went shop nil right.” A SEFTOX MOTORIST. A Seftou motorist passing through was asked as to the position in that district. “ They have no idea down here what.it lias been like.” he said. “ I didn't think we would get through but I put her in second and managed alter struggling through a lot of silt.” Referring to losses among farmers, he said the people themselves did not know yet. LETTING OFF THE! FLOOD WATERS. During the morning a cutting was made in the south bank <>l the north branch in Raven Street with a view to letting the flood waters get away from the south side of the town, the river having subsided sufficiently to allow this being done without incurring any risk. In consequence of the water entering the office of the Kaiapoi "Record.” which is situated in Raven Street, there was no issue this afternoon. On the Cam side, people have been visiting their homes to ascertain what damage has been done. A number of refugees Avho have been since Monday in the brewery r.ialtliouse shifted this morning to more comfortable quarters. BOATING PARTY’S PLEASTNTRY. In some instances where the invasion of the flood water is not bad, residents have remained in their houses, but one objection to this course was that there was no means of getting foodstuffs except by boat. Two men who were marooned in | a hut. though not in danger, were hail- ! ed by a passing boat. How are you off for tucker?” The stranded ones replied that they had only half a loaf of bread left. " Well, cut your ration down,” was the advice offered by one of the boat crew, as they paddled on. FIXTURES POSTPONED. Various functions arranged in Kaiapoi have been postponed. These include the Caledonian Society's Social which was fixed for b rid ay evening and the North Canterbury Sports Club’s . box. g tournament, set down for Saturday night. ! At the Domain the League Football ground is under water, but the Rugby j ground has escaped. WAIMAKARTRI NOT TO BLAME. Many persons are under the misno- ; prehension that Kaiapoi's position is due to flood waters from the Waimak- , ariri River, but the present flood, results from the overflowing of the Ashj ley, Eyre, and the main drain, and the j water comes in the opposite direction ! to that of the Jubilee Flood in 1887 i (when the Waimakariri was the cause of the trouble). A peculiar fact is | that the Eyre is practically dry for the greater part of the year and often for periods of b n u r than a year there j is little water in this course. NO DANGER TO CITY, j There- was some anxiety in .Kaiapoi hist night through a report that the Vvaimakariri was using rapidly. For-

innately this did not occur for th«j waters of the Ashley and Evre which h'C'in into the AY:, iina kn riri would have been banked up still higher. Word was received from Arthur’s Pass this morn■ng that the rainfall for the previous twenty-four hours was .-!0 inches and that the river was normal. (t was welcome news for Kaiapoi people. LIGHT ROAD TRAFFIC. Though there was a misty rain at eleven o'clock the weather had cleared a good deal at noon The effect of the flood was noticeable in the fallingoff of traffic* on the main north road. Travellers to Christchurch were few, cars on the road being practically confined to those in use by passengers from the city. In view of the fact that the metropolitan market 011 Wednesdays draws large numbers of country travellers to-day’s light traffic was a decided contrast to that ou a normal Wednesday.

THE WOOLLEN MILLS.

VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. The damage to the Kaiapoi Woollen Company’s mills at Kaiapoi was very extensive and it will be some time before the full effect of the flood will be known. Throughout most of the building the depth of flood water was about two feet. There were over 2000 pairs of blankets in the finishing department, and when the water was at its highest it overflowed the tables on which the finishing work was done, causing considerable damage. A great deal of destruction was caused to the stocks of acids and ammonia at the factory, and much of the machinery will also be seriously affected. WATER SLOWLY" FALLING. The water is gradually falling at the Kaiapoi Woollen Mills, but is still of a considerable depth in the weaving flat, where it is feared extensive damage has been done. The wool st-ore, containing some hundreds of bales, had suffered badly and everything will have to be shifted as all the bottom bales are soaked. Most of the blankets in the finishing department were not reached by the water. There were 2000 pains of blankets in this department. The flood lias caused a tremendous amount of extra work in scouring and drying. It is thought that most of the water will be out of the imlls by tonight. Men are working where possible, salving and sorting material.

ELLESMERE FLOODS.

A RAPID REVIEW. During the height of the flood at Ellesmere yesterday, three washouts occurred on the railway within a mile on the Springston side of the Ellesmere station. At the same time a large portion of the road near the Ellesmere raj.ljvav station was scoured out to a depth of several feet, and is now quite impassable. SE3LAVYX DANGEROUS. The Selwyn, still high, threatens the safety of the railway bridge, while the approach to the traffic bridge has been swept away, and access to the bridge is barred by a turbulent stream 01 about twelve feet -in width, and considerable depth. DRAMATIC SUDDENXESS. Ibe flood came to Ellesmere with dramatic suddenness on Monday evening. An inconsiderable overflow from tlie swollen Selwyn aroused anxiety, but towards nightfall everything seemed comparatively secure, though fears were entertained for the safety of the bridges. Suddenly, however, the river broke through its banks at | Chamberlain’s Corner, about half a j mile to the westward of the Ellesmere i station, and the water, striking across ! country and spreading as it went, rejoined the river in the vicinity of the bridges. A NIGHT OF TERROR. I I or many it was a night of terror. The water rose with remarkable rapid ity, inundating the country over a . wide area. A railwayman, whose ! house, adjoins the station, commenced j the hasty evacuation of bis family d from their threatened home, wading . through a considerable depth of water j to transfer his children to a part oi j the line that was high. On the last, i trip, so fast was the rise of the- water, lie was compelled to swim. His experience- was shared in part by many others. FORCE OF FLOOD. \\ hen the waters recoded, it became known that considerable damage had been done. About half a mile along ! the line from the Ellesmere station a washout about 50 yards in width and about five feet in depth had occurred. | The force with which the waters had ; eaten away the foundations of the line j was evidenced by tlie deep excavations ; that had eaten far down into the cla> j subsoil. On the paddocks to each I side were strewn fan-like patches of | ballast metal that had been torn from i flic line and carried that distance beJ fore it was deposited. RAILWAYS SAGGING. | Over the gap formed by the wash- ! out, the lino sagged, the sleepers still j held in place by the rails, the subj side nee in the middle being about four j feet. The spot marked the term in- - ation of an old hedge fence in the I paddock at the side, and the fence had apparently given the rapidly moving water sufficient force at that point : to tear away the solid setting of the I lino. and fling it across the opposite C()X C' R ETE 8 1' B SID ENC E. Further on was a smaller washout, i at a point where n culvert had existed ! and still exists in pait The water, | penetrating behind the solid concrete 1 escarpment oi the culvert, had eaten j away the line at the back, and under- ! mired the concrete so that it had ' chopped several foil from its original po-iiion. The br/>ah in the line here, whi '<> n . -vide, was of u tyv'"* difficult to .deal v, Lh. and its comp!' •• repair will orove a tiresome task. A littlefurther <m is a shallow washout, of ;• nature similar to the first, but not of t]i e same dimensions. From this point, and for some distance along the line, minor damage is evident. TR \ V \ C BP. 1 T>G E INTACT. The traffic- bridge appeared intact throughout i 1. - whole length, but the approach had been torn away and the fences bro-iccn and scattered, and a boiling stream raced through the gap that had been made'. The damage to the road nearby will call for the depositin'” cf much materiel before it is surface* has gone, and there remain only irvcmilnrly marked clay surfaces some feet below the original level. Down the declivity thus made the water has rushed as down terraces, andthe termination has been the boring i f a deep hole whose depth is still hidden by the large x>ool of water that reposes in it. From this pool there reclines an electric wire standard, bending over almost to the ground level and being saved from entire collapse only by the wires, which have stood the strain of the weight of the pole. WATERS RECEDING. Everywhere there is evidence of where the waters have been, and the indications of the recent presence of water served to show how quickly the flood is receding. For a short distance j towards Springston the roads show I signs cf flooding, but thereafter the I only traces visible are those of surface water. The roads in the Springston, Lincoln Ladbrooks and Prebbleton districts are in remarkably good order, while the ploughed land and that- bearing young crops do not seem to have . suffered any damage.