FEARFUL FLOODS AT GREYMOUTH.

West Coast Times, Issue 662, 7 November 1867, Page 2

FEARFUL FLOODS AT GREYMOUTH.

THE TOWN PARTIALLY DESTROYED. I3y tho ai rival of Cobb's coach from Grayniouth, yesterday afteruoon, a report became propagated that tho Groy rivor had risen to an unprecedented height, and well nigh overwhelmed the township. This was to n. certain extent authenticated by tho driver, who stated that the approaches to Greyuiouth were so flooded as to be impas3ablc to wheel vehicles, and, in consequence, tho upmail had been forwarded on horseback to meet tlie coach that runs between Hokitika and tho Teremakau. That river was represented as enormously swollen, being higher than on the niQinorable occasion, some eighteen months ago, when it burst through the Spit and washed away the small township upon the north bank. This astounding news excited the keenest apprehension for the safety of the Greymouth inhabitants, and expectation was ; on tip-too for further and more definite intelligence, which at last came in a form anything but calculated to allay anxiety, and was published in the form of a telegram in tho "Evening Star" as follows: " Wednesday, 2.50 p.m. "We have had tho greatest flood ever known at Greymouth. People in the inundated parts seeking refuge in all directions. The waters aye still rising, and the consternation is terrible. No one knows where it will end. There has been an av\ ful destruction of property. It is feared there will be a serious loss of life. How ia Hokitika affected ?" This was indeed startling, and caused the worst to be anticipated, a 9 it waa known that tho tide at the above hour had at leaat two hours to flow, and therefore the public mind intuitively concluded that something tragical occurred when the tide reached its height. The Telegraph Office closed at five o'clock, but, anxious to— if possible— obtain full details of what had really happened, and so allay public anxiety, we applied for and obtained possession of the wires for a short time, but owing to the absence of the Greymouth Station-master, were unablo to procure the desired information. Tho courtesy of Mrßonar, Secretary for Iho Goldfields, supplied us, however, with the latest news to hind, and it was so far satisfactory inasmuch that no mention was made of loss of lifo. At the same time, we found that the reports concerning the height and extent of tho flood wore not

exaggerated, the river being described as running through, the township, and covered with snags and troes, that made sad havoc aniongsd the buildings, of which a great many were either broken up or torn from their foundations and washed away. This was the extent of tho information that had passed along the wires beforo five o'clock, and its meagreness excites a craving for more, that we expect will be satisfied at an early hour to-day.