BEAT FLOODS IN THE SOUTH ISLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 10198, 2 May 1883, Page 2

BEAT FLOODS IN THE SOUTH ISLAND.

, • — — - ,a "(PEB VNITED PBBSS ASSOCIATION.) ;.'■•,' Oamabu, .Wy 1. The heavy' rain which has bean tailing for the last three days has had .rather a serious effeot upon the 'railway lines. The expresSitrain from. Dunedin arrived at the usual time, but was unable to proceed to Timaru owing, to several portions of the lines between, Studholme Junction and. Timaru being carried away or otherwise injured:- ■•:;■.& traia from Oamaruto Tiniarui whichi'left in the afternoon, got as far as Junction, but was' unable' to ! ieturn owing to the line being injured'after the train had passed. There are rid' reports of injuries to the southern or branch lines. It is still' raioiog, and ithere at'e ! no present indications pf iOk y?e'a{Ker']clearing AsHBtnaTOH-y May 1. The heavy rains which have prevailed during the past few days', have, .resulted in the rivers being,, flooded.. :. The Ashburton and Hinds Rivera, are very full. Between Orari and.and Bangitata railway stations a considerable, portion of the line is being washed away.'- It is feared that the bridges over the Hinds River fldll go before 1 morning. This morning's express to DuHe'din could not go further than Ashburtomq'^lost of the passengers returned to'ChristGhuroh. The Hon. Mr Rollesfcon is a passenger by it, and has gone to whale. th<f line is interrupted. A gang of men is' being despatched to repair the damage;* The ttangitata is not in. heavy flood, and no fears are entertained concerning the bridges over that river. It' is expected' that the line I will not be ready for traffio for at least two days. It is reported that the bridge over the Selwynis in danger, so that communication both north and. south may be interrupted. ; , \ j y Tutaku, May 1. Heavy rain continued to fall throughout the district last night and .to-day, causing the heaviest flood known for many years, the quantity Jwhioh {fell during Monday and Monday night being 3 15 inches. The rivers are very high, but none of the larger bridges are damaged. A portion of the township of Teinuka has been under water for the last twenty-four hours. A number of residents had to leave their houses. At Albury a blacksmiths shop was wished away by the river, and a family named Coupor barely escaped with .their lives. At Washdyke {several families had to be taken from their dwellings on.horseback in the middle of the night. A considerable loss of live stock is reported, and will be heavier if the rain does not soon cease. The railway is considerably damaged on the north and south) and Albury lines,, and traffic has been stopped. A number of small bridges have been washed away. There are no mails from Dunedin or Christebu-oh. Mr Sack, the traffic manager, is here, and doing his utmost. - ~'- T - CnßisTCHiracH, May 1. Heavy rain sat in again last night, and continued almost without intermission till daylight this morning. f -It is still raining at short intervals. All the rivers are in flood, and it is feared- that extensive damage will be done. The north train was unable to get beyond Sef |on this - morning, and. the southern, express has been stopped at Ashburton through fears being entertained ,as to the safety of the Barigitati bridge.' Latbb. The. railway authorities notify "that, in- consequence of breaches in the road between Rakaia and Studholme Junction and damage, to tho Ashburton bridge, it is not expected that trains -will be" able to run further south to-morrow.^than Bakaia. It may be possible "to take passengers across Bakaia and OHertsey by trolly, and then to Ashburton by train. It is is not probable that-pas-sengers will be conveyed south further than Ashburton. Traffic is suspended on the north line. The rain is much lighter row than diiring the' day.