ANOTHER FLOOD IN HOKITIKA

West Coast Times, Issue 957, 16 October 1868, Page 2

ANOTHER FLOOD IN HOKITIKA

We hardly expected, now that such a fine outlet exists for the waters of th£ river, to have so soori to chronicle another flood, which-, although not of such magnitude as that which took place on Friday last, has been nevertheless productive of serious inconvenience to many of the inhabitants, and will, we fear, cause considerable damage to property. Throughout the whole of yesterday the rain fell in ceaseless torrents, but this Aid not occasion alarm, as it was well known that the south channel had freely opened. So deep and wide was the channel, that it was fulty expected it would carry off almost any fresh which might come down the river. As night approached, the river, however, had greatly increased in volume, and a vast quantity of turbid water was rushing onward to the sea. The wind, too, blew strongly, raising a heavy westerly soa, which swept in huge waves for some distance up the virer's mouth, backing up the waters, and causing them to rise still higher. This was about five o'clock, and then the water Avas some distance from the planking of the wharf. Six and seven o'clock passed, and the m-rht had then fairly set in — and what a Might it was — dark, pitchy dark— with the 'wind tearing along in furious guste, and the rain falling not in drops, but literally in sheets. Tile river kept rising higher and higher, and before nine o'clock it had overflowed its banks, and Gibsoii'3 Quay was soon covered to some depth. It was high water at half-past nine o'clock, and a spring tide, consequently the enormous pressureVf the sea upon the swollen river cruised the water to rise faster and faster — Tancredstreet was sooti overflowed, the water entering the dwellings on both pules of the .-tfeet, and causing the inhabitants hastily to fly f.ir their lives. Sewell street was a broad and deep stream, Hie waters rising high up tlie verandah in front of the Post Office, and entering the Government l?e•■erve. Hamilton street and the Camp Reserve were deeply flooded, and the waters flowed some distance up Camp street. Weld street, from near the White Home Hotel to past lyitzhcrher't street-, presented the appearance of a broad and rapid river, and at lialfrpiisi ten o'clock the West Coast Tisites Office was completely surrounded. Boat?, too, were plying in, the streets, rescuing those inhabithnls who had not as yet left flietr dwellings, and conveying them to places of saftty. Shortly before eleven o'clcok the flood was at its height, and the rain had ceased, although the night was still very dark, and the wind blew with great violence. About half-past eleven o'clock the flood began slowly to subside, and by three o'clock this morning the streets were once more passable*