FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 44, Issue 134036, 2 January 1918, Page 5

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE,

(By Telegraph—Preas Association.) G BE VMOUTH, Tuesday. Heavy continuous rain all yesterday resulted in .floods and serious damage. A big slip ut Rewauui practically destroyed the large coal storage bins, which were so much damagod that it in feared the remaining uprights wili have to be pulled out and the whole rebuilt. The blacksmith shop, the fauhouse, and the electric wimji cabin were soaked, and the electric lights were swept away by a slip, which also blocked tho entrance to No. ;{ mine, Bewanui. Luckily there were no employees about, or the result, might have been more serious. Several slips occurred on the railway. Two arc on the Rewanui line, and one was cleared; the other prevents through traffic on this line to-day. There are slips at Kaimata and Ngahere. At .Rotomanu the line is flooded. The Otira Gorge is blocked, and there is no through trailic from the. W T est Coast to Christchurch to-day. It is hoped to have the blockages cleared to allow the usual train service to-morrow. The Greymouth Jockey Club's course is under water. The flood waters bogan to trickle over the course at 2 o'clock this morning, and at 10 o'clock there was sft to 6ft of water on the course. The horses stabled there were got away safely last night. Littel damage is reported in the town itself, but the river in places is within two feet of the top of the wharf, and is still rising slowly. All danger of the flood lapping over the wharf seems past, although the river is a banker. The bins at Eewanui had a storage capacity of 4000 tons. It is expected it will bo three weeks at least before this mine is able to restart work. The river is still (2.15 p.m..) rising slowly against the falling tide. The low-lying parts of the town are now under Water. "Victoria Park is covered 3ft dee]). The general opinion is that the river will not come over the wharf, as the rain ceased at an early hour this morning. Yesterday's continuous rain gave warning of the floods, and it is not anticipated that the loss of stock or the damage in the country will be great. Should the weather continue fine the officials have every confidence that the trots can be held to-morrow, as the track is hard and dries quickly. The Omoto racecourse is now i under eight or ten feet of water. >