KAIKOURA FLOODED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17037, 10 May 1923, Page 6

KAIKOURA FLOODED.

RAINFALL 25.88 INCHES. The heaviest flood know© in the histcry oi Kaikoura. occurred on Monday. On Friday heavy rain began, and continued incessantly throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Rivers and creeks rose, rapidly, heavy seas were running, stemming the rushing waters at the mouths of the- rivers, and. the surplus, surging water inundated the district. Land slides occurred on the North Road to -Blenheim, and on the South Road to Christchurch, blocking traffic, and telephone and telegraphic wires were, down, thus isolating Kaikcura. Middle Creek rose higher than the bridge, which became impassable on the North. Road, and the Kowhai River overflowed the bridge on the South Road. Residences built near the banks of Lyeli Creek suffered heavily, those flooded being Mr E. Abraham’s, through which water flowed to a depth of over a. foot; Mrs M’Rae’s, Messrs T. Adair's, H. Teale’s and. G. Renwick’s. AY ater was also to a considerable depth in the yards of Messrs Maddock’s, Sehroeder’s, Alexander’s, Chisnall’s, Gilling’s, Clark’s, Gibson’s, Poharama’©, Glemett’s and Flower’s. Lyeli Creek, fed. from the overflowing Kowhai and numerous tributaries, became a, fast-running river, breaking into a wide mass of seething water at t&e bridge entering the town. It overflowed the bridge, and took a course through the "West- End. It rati to th© office of the Dairy Company, washed as high as the door handle, and swept round Flower’s corner, and on through the West End as far as Air Raymond Gibson’s office, where, meeting the higher ground, turned, again into the creek. There was a depth of three feet of water at Flower’s corner, and his shop was flooded. Strange’s, Yeabslevs and Messent’s were also flooded, and tbe water was awash th© Adelphi passage. On the other side of the road, at a lower level, Messrs Burrow’s, C-lar-ingbold’s, Robinson and Perrin’s, Richardson’s, Kaikoura United Motor Company’s, Ferry’s, Washington's, th© Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Carey’s and M’Lauglilan’s suffered heavy damage. The shops were inundated to a- depth of about four feet, resulting in much damage to- stocks, etc. The water also flowed into Vale’s. Those of the West End who resided at their places of business were forced to seek refuge at the hotels. Mr G. Renwick, who is over eighy years of age. bad to carry his wife to a place of safety at- about l a.m. on Monday. At Suburban the flats and along the lower portions of Athelney were one mass of water. North of Middle Creek, past Sweeney’s, the flats were under v ater, and also the low-lying, land at ©R-orrison’s Road and Ludstone Road. The Kowhai river, turbulent and swollen to a height of over five feet, washed over the protective crates at Postman’s Road, pouring volumes of water down the Kowliai Road to a depth of over three feet, resembling a large river, and flooding the surrounding land, so that stock had to be driven, and in some cases swum, to higher levels. In this vicinity tin; places affected were Keenan’s. Chapman’s, Ashby’s. Boughton’s, Mackie’s. Barker’s, Hemingway’s, Goodwin s and Garrett’s. Through out. the district many families had to seek refuge. It is reported that Mr G. Garrett’s sawmill at Long Creek has been washed away and that Mr W. E. Milligan has lost hundreds of cords of wood, with an engine and sawbench. To repair the damage done will cost thousands of pounds. It will probably be two or throe weeks before the motor services can resume. There are many bridges down, and the road in many places is impassible. Chains of the' road have been completely washed away. The sea from Kaikoura to the 'Waimakariri i* discoloured for a distance of three or four miles out.